GlobalGiving.org: Rescuing 100 girls from early marriages in Kenya

Rose and Josephine back to school

Lameck Nyandega — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:13:25 GMT

It is very impressing to see that Rose Apiyo and Josephine Namalwa have gone back to school. These two girls were smiling and asking themselves questions which we answered together as we approached their Geta secondary school. They were asking where they could be if it were not the support of Juhudi Children in Crisis. Apiyo said that she could be somewhere in the village as a house wife and Josephine said that she could be in the village married but no exact number of children that she could be having. It is through the support of Juhudi that these young girls with a lot of potential that they are back in school. 'Thanks for your continued support' says Apiyo and Josephine.

Apiyo back to school's smile

Lameck Nyandega — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:28:54 GMT

Apiyo at Geta Secondary School

Rose Apiyo Abala was born in a very poor family. Seventeen years old Apiyo was forced to live with her grandmother in order to get her primary education. Also this made her parents to move away from home to an urban area for a job to help her and other children to access education. Apiyo struggled and worked hard, which saw her finish her primary education which prepared her to join secondary education. This made her to move living with her aunt. Here the challenges of Apiyo started. After attending form one the first year, she was working hard but not of real good performance.

On her second year in secondary school, Apiyo got a very big challenge which made her drop out of school. She was cheated by another fellow student from different school that she could have been married by the boy. This could not happen because they were both in school. After some time in relationship, Apiyo got pregnant. She could not go to school anymore as the pregnancy was growing big and she could not conquer the insults from other students in her school.

After talking to her and sharing of her situation, she promised to go back to school once she gives birth. Coming this year by April, Apiyo had delivered a baby girl and now she was anxious to go back to school. Last month, she joined Geta secondary school where she is boarding. Juhudi has come out strongly to rescue this young girl who now smiles and enjoys the secondary school environment. She can now get the requirements and the support that she needs to continue with her education. ‘’I am happy to be in school where I feel secure and comfortable to be. I will be happy helping other girls who are facing the same challenges in future. Thanks for those who are behind my support’’ Says Apiyo.

Apiyo's smile of hope

Jecinter's smile

Lameck Nyandega — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:45:08 GMT

Jecinter

Having lost her parents at an early age, Jecinter Naliaka has gone through many challenges which led her to seek refuge to relatives for her living. Its only last month when Jecinter lost her relative who has been taking care of her. This made her move to her step grandparent because she needed someone who understood her well and who could take care of her as an orphan. Her step grandparent who surely struggles everyday to get food for her and other children that he lives with could not to support in paying her school fees which saw her sent out of school every time. After meeting Juhudi, jecinter’s school fees has been paid and know she is back in school getting the formal education in Kenya. Jecinter has taken a very big responsibility in her school as a peer educator whose passion is to see other young boys and girls excel in education and life. She frequently trains others in various areas of development. ‘Am happy that I can be in school as other children and promise to give out very good results as I continue to help others as a peer educator’.

Light at the end of the tunnel!

Eliud Akanga — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:18:32 GMT

girls in school

Despite challenges facing girls especial lit in the rural areas, the project has had some significant impact on the lives of some girls: we share with you such success: Emily; 3rd born in a family of 8. Brought up a single a mother who has to brew and sell illicit brew. She was exposed to high risks and sexual exploitation as the home was turned into a bar. Through the project, Emily 16 years is now able to cope with the situation at home. She knows her limits and has confidence to say NO to any sexual favors. She hopes s to perform well in her class 8 exams this year. Irene; A daughter of a single mother. A mother who has to make and sell illicit brew to cater for her 10 children. Irene, 17 years found herself caught up in the brewing business which went into late nights. This affected her educational and social performance. After being in the project where she learnt life skills, she opted to move away from her mothers, home and took refuge at her Uncles place. Her education has improved and hopeful she will do well in her KCPE exams this year.

Velian ; At the age 15, Velian has seen it all. An alcoholic and promiscuity family. She was under stress for a while which directed her to promiscuity. The project is helping her realize that her life is not shared. She discovered she has to hold her destiny in her hands. Elizabeth : Finished her secondary school education in 2009. She stayed idle at home for a long time after which she got pregnant something that led her to lose hope in life. After joining the project her parents decided to give her a piece of land which she started planting vegetables and selling them at the local market Bilha ; Dropped out of her secondary education due to lack of school fees. She has now started a business of buying and selling of milk Willbrodah: Finished her secondary education in 2008. She had passed well but her parents did not have money to enable her pursue with her education (college).She later got a baby while still at her parents’ home. She is now teaching ECD at village from which she raises her kid. Lillian : She finished her primary school education but did not continue with secondary education because her parents had no money. She started working as a casual labourer in people’s farm. She got pregnant and then married but her marriage did not work. She went back home. She now buy and sells sugar cane, maize and vegetables Rebecca : Got pregnant while still taking her secondary school education. She managed to finish her education. She went for a course in secretarial and finished. She is waiting for her internship at Pan Paper Webuye .Meanwhile she is selling vegetables and milk. Sarah: They have a joined Tailoring business at small centre. Rebecca also buys and sells vegetables to kitale town. Letesia did not do her class 8 exams due to pregnancy last year. Meanwhile, Juhudi would like to let you know that we have a new Executive Director. His name is Steve Ombere. This follows a restructuring at the organization. Mr. Eliud Akanga Who has been in charge of the organization moves on to take other personal duties. He however remains close to the organization. From now on you will receive updates from Steve. Juhudi would like to thank Eliud for his commitment and support to the organization.

Mss Apio Rescued

Eliud Akanga — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:51:46 GMT

Mss Apio

Mss Apio is an 17 year old girl. She is form 1 in a near by secondary school. Set stays with her father's sister. During the August Holiday, she indulged in unprotected sex and became pregnant. She never new about her pregnancy till when we conducted pregnancy test. Juhudi Children staff had a discussion with her guardian about the situation. The guardian was furious and wanted the girl to go back to her father immediately. When the girl was consulted about what would happen, she refused to the idea of going back to her father home. ‘There I would be married off immediately. I am safer here' Mss Apio said. Juhudi Children staff have now held discussion with the father and guardian and an agreement reached about her safety. She will stay with her guardian and resume school once she has delivered. The 17 year old boy who impregnated her together with his parents have also agreed to take care of the baby. This has been a very challenging moment as it is a very sensitive endeavor. Juhudi is happy that the process was successful and Mss Apio is safer. Juhudi did organize a community meeting for the girls and their mothers/guardians to discuss the issue of early marriages and schooling for girls. The girls shared their concerns especially when they get pregnant at home. They feel unprotected. Mothers said there are many challenges facing their daughters. One such case is on high demand by the girls to want so much to look like modern girls. Mothers said, domestic resources are scarce to support their daughters demand. By the end of the one day meeting, both the girls and mothers agreed to create more time to meet and share information at the home level and quarterly organize a joint community meeting. Juhudi want to thank you for your continued support which has seen girls benefit from your donation. 3 Rescued girls did their examination this year and will be hoping to join secondary school in 2011.' I thanks Juhudi for ensuring that I have done my Class eight National Exams' Betty We wish you all the best during Christmas and new year celebrations.

Mss Apio

Income Generating Activities Supporting Pascalia

Eliud Akanga — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:56:52 GMT

Pascalia

Small Income Generating Activities Supporting Pascalia

Pascalia Chepkorir is one among 6 girls whom Juhudi is helping to start up small income generating activities. Pascalia dropped out of school in form two and was forced into marriage after getting pregnant and could not continue with her secondary education. She found a boyfriend who helped her bring up her kid but, she got pregnant again. This forced her parents to chase her out of the house due to their culture. She sought refuge from her step-brother from where Juhudi is supporting her do small business of selling vegetables. ‘At least my life is having meaning now. I hope one day I will go back to school or a tailoring college’ Pascalia

The last 3 months Juhudi has been working along the Cherangany Hills and across the Marakwet and Pokot ethnic communities, where girls are forced into Female Genital Mutilation leading to school dropout. As the girls escape from this act or forced marriages, they seek refuge in the safe communities where Juhudi then finds them and offer them support.

We appreciate your continued support, without which Pascalia and other girls would not have had a taste of better life.

We are now providing short-term income generating support to our beneficiaries especially those who have children. What do you think about this!

Two Girls back to school

Eliud Akanga — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:58:17 GMT

Jane and Ann back to school

Jane and Ann at the end of last year did their class eight national examinations. It was great moment for them after being out of school for more than two years.

This year, the two girls who are beneficiaries of this project joined Form one at St Pauls' Secondary school. 'I never knew one dy I will be abck in school and continue with my dream. My life had been shuttered. I had eloped with ayoung money who later abandoned me' Ann

'Iam very greatful to Juhudi Children and all donors who are giving support to our education. This project has given me a new chance to realize my dream of becoming a teacher' Jane

On the 16th June 2010, Juhudi Children together with other organizations will be celebrating the day of the African Child.On this day, Globalgiving will also be matching all your donations.Make a specil donation on this day.Share with your family and friends to make a donation to rescue gril from early marriage in Kenya

We welcome you to share feedback with us regarding this project.

Children now accessing early childhood education

Eliud Akanga — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:50:27 GMT

Agness going to school

Children accessing education early

Through this project, children are able to go to Early Childhood Centres. This is helping the children develop their mental abilities in good time.

We have this year supported 15 children to go to early Childhood Centres. Your continued support will ensure that the children do not miss this opportunity.

Make your donation to ensure these orphan and vulnerable children access education.

With Warm Regards from Juhudi Children

Eliud

Season's greetings

Eliud Akanga — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:56:30 GMT

Season’s Greetings from Juhudi

We the entire fraternity of Board of Directors, Management, Project Leaders, Volunteers and the Beneficiaries at Juhudi wish to extend our Christmas and New Year greetings to all our sponsors, well wishers and donors all over the world during this significant season.

We wish to sincerely thank all those who have supported us over the years and more so during this challenging year that is drawing to a close. We profoundly thank you for having made a positive difference in the girls’ lives, and look forward to continued support of our projects in the coming year. Each individual contribution however small pooled together with another to make valuable involvement.

We at Juhudi wish you all the best as you usher in 2010 and may you have the most excellent returns for all your endeavors.

Eliud Akanga Director of Sustainability

Attachments:

Seasons_Greetings.doc (DOC)

Ebby Completes Dressmaking Training

Eliud Akanga — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:12:03 GMT

Ebby Nyapara Completes Dressmaking Training!

Ebby Nyapara, who was rescued in February 2009 and admitted into a dressmaking class has now completed her vocational training. She has re joined her parents who are now happy at the skills she has acquired for the period she was away. Ebby too is delighted that her capacity has been really improved and now she looks forward to being self reliant using the skills she has attained. Ã¢â‚¬Å“I am quite happy I can now design and produce nice dressesÃ¢â‚¬Â. Ã¢â‚¬Å“When I joined the school, I didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t know anything about dressmakingÃ¢â‚¬Â She said during the interview with our field officer. She will take a few monthsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ break as Juhudi and well wishers organize to help her start her own business in order to support her siblings.

Her parents, tutors, community leaders and the entire Juhudi Organization fraternity are sincerely thankful to the donors and sponsors who made her training successful through their donations. We also welcome feedback on our project activities and look forward to further collaboration in positively transforming the grassroots communities.

Eliud Akanga Director of Sustainability

Attachments:

Ebby_Completes_Dressmaking_Training.doc (DOC)

Alive and Learning Challenge Update

Eliud Akanga — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:56:46 GMT

The Dilemma of 11 Non-quitting Girls!

The Juhudi field team has identified 11 teenage girls who urgently require fees in order to attend a 3 month tailoring and dress making training. The girls, who dropped out of school due to poverty, are keen on reigniting their shattered dreams. They are expected to join the Juhudi project of rescuing teenage girls currently listed on Globalgiving UK website.

Through well wishers and other sponsors, we hope to raise £1500.00 required to cover tuition and practical session fees by Mid August 2009. We thank Globalgiving UK for the alive and learning challenge; an opportunity we believe will help our organization reach a wider audience on this noble course. The chance to receive a bonus of £1000 if we reach the target of £2000 by 14th August is indeed a challenge within a challenge. We therefore appeal to more sponsors to help us achieve this realistic goal by making a donation to www.globalgiving.co.uk/2247.

We are highly optimistic that together we will help these young girls reshape their future with every penny that is donated. Rita, one of the girls, has her ambitions set to becoming a boutique owner once she is through with her training and supported with capital to start off. She expects to uplift the rest of her family members from the yoke of poverty. “I am very encouraged by our sponsors, I won’t let them down. I want to help the rest of my siblings and myself to have a better life than we do” she said amidst tears of joy.

Eliud Akanga Sustainability Director

Attachments:

Alive__Learning_Challenge_update.doc (DOC)

Gearing up for Mothers' Day 2009

Eliud Akanga — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:58:32 GMT

The countdown to this year’s mother’s day is excitedly on. Only a couple of days remain ahead of the 10th May holiday to be celebrated in honor of all mothers to express gratitude for the hardships they bear in bringing up children. Mothers Day came into being due to the efforts made by Ms Julia Ward Howe and Ms Anna Jarvis. The Resolution for having a dedicated Mother's Day was signed by US President Woodrow Wilson on May 8, 1914. Since then people across the world have been celebrating Mothers Day with joy, fondness and dedication. This year, the day falls on a Sunday.

At Juhudi, we have lined up a couple of activities for the teenage mothers rescued from early marriages. These include fun games, team building activities, stage shows, poetry, comedy and dance. Later, the teenage mothers are expected to visit the Saiwa National park on the outskirts of Kitale town to enjoy the natural beauty of wildlife. During the visit, they are expected to see a variety of wild animals that they had hitherto only read about.

These activities have been organized in order to appreciate the difficult times these young girls went through as well as erasing the condemnation they had received from the society. They should be able to feel that they are in solidarity with the rest of the mothers in the world, and more so that “They are not lesser mothers!” This is one of the unwinding processes the organization using help in trauma healing, therefore all support is welcome. “I look forward to having fun on mothers’ day; I can’t wait to recite the poem I have for my mum” said Ebby, a beneficiary.

Easter Sports Festival Attracts Multitudes

Eliud Akanga — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:37:54 GMT

Juhudi Children in Crisis project beneficiaries were among the over 800 youths who participated in a 4 day event dubbed “Youth Behaviour Change Easter Sports Festival 2009” The event which ran from 10th to 13th April 2009 at the TYSA grounds in Trans-nzoia East District was organized by Trans-nzoia Youth Sports Association (TYSA) in collaboration with World Vision Kenya. The theme of the sports extravaganza was “Shifting the youth to positive thinking” The objective of the event was to equip the youths with life skills for positive behavior change. Given that the youth are dynamic and innovative yet very destructive if not well directed, this was meant to create awareness as well as forestall harmful behaviour such as violence, drug abuse, irresponsible sex and indiscipline.

The medium of sports was used to reach out to the youth. Several activities were held including focused group discussions on reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, career choice, positive thinking, self esteem and drug abuse. Also held were sports and games activities among them Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Netball, Darts, and Tug of war. Information sharing and exchange was well articulated through dissemination of Information, Education and Communication (I.E.C) materials, Music, poetry, dance and drama during the four days.

The event provided a perfect Easter holiday to the youth, as recreation, leisure and educative goals were all met at one go. The Juhudi project beneficiaries expressed their gratitude and satisfaction as it was highly beneficial to them. They would wish that the event be held annually, if other partners can support or sponsor the initiative. Please feel free to forward your feedback regarding this update.

Globalgiving Visits Juhudi Projects

Eliud Akanga — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:46:08 GMT

Students from George Washington University in the USA visited Kenya in the third week of March 2009 on behalf of Globalgiving. They had the opportunity to visit and learn more about Juhudi’s projects. Christine Illanes and Michael Acton who arrived on 15th of March 2009 had very cordial and informative talks with the Juhudi Children in Crisis representative in Nairobi on 18th March 2009. The meeting was an open forum of free discussions about Juhudi organization, its donors and Globalgiving’s effort to connect them to their noble causes.

Christine and Mike shared their objective of visiting Kenya for interviews. They were visiting on behalf of Globalgiving to establish the information that donors would respond to best about projects that interest them. They also illustrated how ranking of projects is done and the criteria utilized. They provided several information handouts from Globalgiving that answered the most frequently asked questions about GG’s marketplace and how it works. The handouts were very ideal in marketing Globalgiving to other organizations in Kenya that may be interested in raising funds for community projects.

Mike and Christine also had the opportunity to learn about Juhudi, which is a Kiswahili term for “effort”. They received a narrative background of the inspiration behind the organization’s inauguration way back in 2005 as well as a written brief profile of the organization. They were briefed on how the project had transformed lives of indigenous community children and more so the feedback received from the actual beneficiaries. Indeed they were absolutely impressed by the good work at Juhudi. The Juhudi Board of directors on the other hand profoundly appreciated the endeavor by Globalgiving to go an extra mile in obtaining first hand feedback from beneficiary organizations. We believe the information shared will be resourceful in taking community projects to the next level. This exercise was very commendable as it added value to our fund raising strategies and therefore we recommend that it remains an on going engagement.

Eliud Akanga Sustainability Director

Ebby Nyapara Joins Dressmaking School!

Eliud Akanga — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:37:53 GMT

Ebby Nyapara, a 19 year old girl received admission to join a private dressmaking school in one of the suburbs of Eldoret town, North Rift Kenya. She started attending classes on the 27th of February 2009, courtesy of Juhudi’s efforts to rescue her from neglect and violent parents in her rural home. Her dream is to become a world class designer. Ebby’s woes started when she dropped out of school in November last year (2008), after getting pregnant. Her parents were annoyed by this occurrence and hence mistreated her leaving her so depressed. She could sometimes spend two to four days without food, as she was prevented from accessing the family facilities. Unfortunately due to the frustration, misery and poor pre natal care, the pregnancy was miscarried in the month of January this year. This made her weak, sickly and miserable.

Prior to joining the dressmaking school, she was treated at Hope Medical centre and continues to receive periodic medical check up from professionals affiliated to the centre. She also underwent trauma and psychological counseling from hired professional counselors.

When interviewed about her new status as a dress making student, this is what Ebby had to say. “I had lost hope of ever continuing with education after my own parents disowned me”, “But now with the dressmaking skills I shall acquire from here, I look forward to dressing the whole world one day”.

It is quite encouraging to note how positive she is now, yet a couple of weeks ago she had despaired. Ebby’s classmates were delighted to receive her and were quite empathetic on learning of her story. They find her a team player and also quite humorous. She participates actively in group work assignments and discussions.

Juhudi Organization is most grateful to the donors who have lent a hand in bringing positive change in Ebby’s life. Please keep up the great job as we help her achieve her greatest dream of becoming a world class designer. Who knows; she could design your fabric one day!

Eliud Akanga Director of Sustainability

Counseling Sessions for Anne add Value

Jacqueline K. Ingonga — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:26:36 GMT

Anne Nanjala, one of the girls rescued from marriage by Juhudi organization volunteers has been successfully attending weekly counseling sessions to help her heal from the trauma of being forced into marriage.

The sessions have been necessitated by Anne’s previous attitude towards male teachers, which she developed against men while in the brief painful marriage union. Because of her immediate experiences, Anne has been having a mind-set that all men are bad. However, to reverse this trend, we at Juhudi have engaged services of an external counselor to help her out of that mind state.

We thank those who have contributed towards this noble course and we are happy to report that it is adding value due to the positive results being witnessed. We also thank Mabel the counselor, for finding time to attend to Anne despite her busy schedule in the counseling profession.

This is what Anne said a week ago when asked about what she thought about the male teachers in her school: “When I came here to join the school, I wasn’t free as I thought the male teachers were just like the cruel man who had forcefully married me”. “But now I realize that they are actually out to assist me get educated, I am no longer afraid”.

We welcome comments on this update from all our sponsors and readers.

Joyce Re-joins School

Eliud Akanga — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:29:29 GMT

After her successful rescue from marriage in Saboti division Trans-nzoia West District last December, Joyce Oyiela finally joined one of the local primary schools from where she is expected to get her basic education back on track. She was overjoyed as she donned her new uniform to begin a journey she had longed for. The last visit at the school by one of our volunteer counselors established that she had settled well and made new friends at the school. “They have been very good to me” she said of her classmates. “They have showed me many things that I didn’t know” she added during the interview.

Her class teacher has promised to be close to Joyce in order to assist her catch up with the rest of the pupils who had begun their classes earlier. Other teachers have hailed the intervention made by Juhudi organization and appealed for more efforts since there are many similar cases within the remote villages, which are unreported.

Issues of upkeep and meals should be effectively handled once more sponsors and donors come on board. Juhudi Children in Crisis organization does not consider this as a major distraction to Joyce’s education. However it is still an issue that requires great attention. We are grateful to all the donors who continue making this positive change possible.

Anne gets rescued

Eliud Akanga — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:07:20 GMT

Anne holding her younger sister after their brief re-union

Anne Nanjala a 13 year old is now happy after being rescued from imminent marriage. She had dropped out of school in May 2008. Our project community monitors for early marriages intervened in time to save Anne. "I am grateful to Juhudi Children for saving me and restoring my hope of continuing with education" Anne

Currently, Anne is staying with one of our community volunteers as reconciliation with her parents is on going.