Improving lives of 1000 girls in Nairobi's slums

New Restaurant for Economic Empowerment

Arguably one of the greatest challenges facing young Kenyans today is unemployment and low employability.62% of the population in Kenya is under 25 years of age. The youth unemployment rate hovers around 13% on average. This figure, while high, masks the gravity of the problem of under-employment, discouraged work force and lack of career opportunities.In response to this,VAP being an organization that embraces and works with young generation through football for social and economic empowerment,has opened M-food restaurant.Originating from the loins of Mrembo (Girls) program, the new M-food restaurant and catering school is intended to engage and motivate Mrembo program graduates, provide them with valuable soft skills including,catering,pastry,financial and computer literacy and prepare them for the job-market as well as helping them create their own sustainable income generating opportunities. Just like Mrembo salon vocational training where VAP works so closely with well-established hair and beauty shops for the purposes of providing internship and job placements for the graduates-food will work closely with various well established restaurants that would provide internships and job placements for the M-food graduates who will eventually join the other lot of ‘VAP Achievers’ (graduates who have been socially and economically empowered).Additionally,proceeds from the restaurant will go towards supporting Mrembo(girls) program in different ways e.g purchase of sanitary towels and other support.

Wasichana Wacheze(Girls Play) Champions League

Clinging on the same trend of unveiling the inner beauty of a girl child through football based activities via Mrembo program, a mini football league dubbed ‘Wasichana Wacheze’ composed of girls from various chapters both in schools and community centres was organized from 30th June ending on 6th August. The aim of the ‘Wasichana Wacheze’ champions league was to create a springboard for the girls to showcase their football talents and a safe space for them to discuss crucial topics crowding sexual health, reproductive and rights issues among adolescent girls. Jericho chapter emerged the first winners of Wasichana Wacheze and were awarded with a trophy and other educational supplies, including sanitary pads. The other participating teams also walked out with educational materials that would support their education with sanitary pads.

Holiday Activiities

With schools on vocation, the month of August turned out to be a bee hive of many community events and activities spreading out in various parts of Nairobi. Top on the list was ‘Goal Events’ where a total of three events were conducted. The event focused on girls who had a privilege of being taught on communication, health and hygiene, rights and financial literacy coupled with football matches. Some of these events were attended by Standard chartered bank staff who had to depart their comfort zones and have program’s hands-on experience with the participants and the community. Despite the Goal events, a series of other program activities were well on track and with an additional Kick N Test football conducted at the tail end of August that saw participants getting to know their HIV status and receiving other health services which is already a culture of Kick N Test football tournaments