Train 120 Health & Human Rights promoters in Kenya

Dear friends and esteemed supporters,

In our effort to continually train health and human rights promoters 16 days of activism provided an opportunity for HFAW Founder, Grace Mose, who is also a lecturer at Kenyatta University to mentor the young Kenyatta University students on how to speak up against violence against women and girls. Many times students in this country graduate from institutions of higher learning without ever getting a chance to learn practical skills of advocacy. So many students have approached to volunteer at HFAW but often they do not know how to speak up against the vices in communities such as GBV, FGM early marriages, early pregnancies and child abuse. Last year’s 16^th days of advice provided a great opportunity for these students to learn the skills. A number of them have committed to proceed to the grassroots and agitate for change and today was the start.

“At first, I was so afraid to speak up as we sang but I gained confidence as we chanted around,” said Elizabeth who was one of those being mentored.  Iam Inspired, said Josephine. I want to do this again, said John.

These young people were so happy to discover that what they see others doing around the world is indeed possible with them as they shouted and sang messages: unite and stand up against GBV; No society without women;  end GBV, silence will not help us, respect women, men have a role to play etc. to mention a few. It was an inspiring day and these students could not wait for yet another activism day.

HFAW works in communities such as Nyamira and Kajiado where FGM is rampant and young girls are becoming pregnant in numbers among other vices.  To you our supporters, we want you to know how grateful we are for your continued support. Thank you for investing in HFAW. As we transition these young people to agitate against GBV, FGM and early pregnancies, we bank on you. Our communities are better because of how you choose to donate to our project. Please share our reports with your friends and family and explain to them the difference you are making when you donate to HFAW. Thank you for choosing to walk with us.

Sincerely and with gratitude,

Grace B Mose-Okong’o

To Our Dear Supporters, it is our pleasure to share the activities of August 2022; HFAW health and human rights promoters visited Riabagaka primary school with the aim of creating awareness on child rights, child abuse and body and environment hygiene. We managed to reach a population of 209 for both teachers and pupils. Where 127 were boys while 82 were girls. A key challenge in the school were more than 30 jigger infected pupils.

Gladys, one of our grassroots health promoters was responsible in addressing the children about hygiene. During this time, one of our other facilitating health promoters noticed a girl crying among the pupils. At the end of the session, one of the teachers requested support in terms of hygiene kits and shoes for 31 pupils with jiggers.

Our health promoters took the girl aside to know what was happening; that was when they realized that she was not only jiggers infested but also undergoing other forms of violence and experienced extreme poverty from home.

“I could relate with the forms of abuse you said since I am a victim, I was unable to with stand the pain, and that is why I started crying.” said Lorna a grade six pupil at Riabagaka primary school

Jigger infestation is related to poverty which leads to neglecting hygiene issues. Children risk dropping out of school due to the situation which stigmatizes them due to ridicule by others. They also risk spreading diseases such as HIV/AIDS when they share needles and pins as removing equipment for the jiggers.

The health and human rights promoters discussed with the teachers about the girl’s situation. They shared that the children, especially girls, had a difficult situation. Others sometimes missed school because of the jiggers and lack of sanitary towels. He requested if we could provide jigger sanitation kit and shoes for the 30 pupils identified as jigger infested so that they can be able to attend classes.

"We need you to come back; as you can see, the students are very interested with the information and in dire need of pads and shoes for jigger-infested pupils. It is a crisis." said the school head teacher

Our supporters, we request you to be part of the treatment and rehabilitation of our needy children. Please consider donating and informing your friends, family, and networks about HFAW and our jigger campaign for children to remain in schools. We plan to extend our support to their caregivers to improve their livelihoods in the near future when funds allow.