By Gichuki Francis | Executive Officer
How we responded to the effects of post election violence
Due to the nature of and complexity of the effects of post election violence, we were only able to focus on the immediate and psychosocial based ones. Some of the psychosocial effects are: Trauma, School dropout, Rape, Idleness, mistrust, despair and apathy
Trauma We did organize interactive sports, recreation activities, one on one sharing, exposure programs, and solidarity gestures within and without the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. School dropout We worked closely with schools to admit children from the camp and or those who were staying with their relatives. Sought sponsorship to support secondary and college education for the most vulnerable girls who are staying the IDPs Idleness Through organized sports and recreation activities e.g. Soccer, volleyball, netball and handball, many children, youths, women and men were kept busy at the camps. Various age groups eg under 9, 12,14, youths and women participated. Over 500 participants were involved in sports and recreational activities every day. Mistrust With the support of the local community leaders, several sports for peace and recreational activities involving different ethnic groups were organized. The participating teams had representation from each of the various ethnic communities living in the area. The players and fans wore while ribbons as a sign of peace. Despair and Apathy Besides sports, one on one sharing, exposure activities were offered to revitalize their hopes. The youths and children especially were offered opportunities to visit their counterparts outside the camp. This was either to play or just to share and refresh their minds. Rape We organized for post exposure prophylaxis treatment, offered alternative safe accommodation for the victims and their children, food, clothing and Basic counseling. These cases were not in the IDP camps but in the communities, after what started as post-election violence gave rise to another evil of sexual violation in the community. What are our successful stories? • 3 girls from the IDP camps obtained secondary school scholarships • 1 girl from the IDP camp secured partial support for college fees • Mentorship and leadership skills developed for one of IDP camp mobilizes • Managed to change the stereotype mindsets and perceptions that girls cannot perform better than boys or are only good at domestic chores. I almost stopped my daughter from going to play a soccer match. But now I am excited that she got a school scholarship for being the best soccer player. Said Mama Kwamboka. • Highlighted in the print and electronic media the plight of the sexually violated women and girls while offering them support. • Reduced mistrust among different ethnic communities through sports. We never expected that your team would turn up today to play against us. We thought you would think it was a bait to harm you. Said the team captain. • Involved the Kachibora Internally Displaced Persons in celebrating and marking the World Women’s day. What needs to be done? • Reconstruction and resettlement • Farm inputs grants • Agricultural and /livestock Support programme • Educational sponsorships • Income Generating Activities support programme • Peace and Reconciliation • Psycho social support programme • Monitoring and Evaluation of various interventions
By Gichuki Francis | Executive Officer
By Gichuki Francis | Executive Officer
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