Build a skills hub for 250 girls in Kenya

EMPOWER 250 GIRLS: SKILLS HUB IN RURAL KENYA PROJECT REPORT  Project #49418

Project Summary

The Build a Skills Hub for 250 Girls in Kenya project provides vulnerable and at-risk adolescent girls in Kuria and the Kenya–Tanzania border region with digital literacy, entrepreneurship, vocational skills, financial literacy and safe-space support. The hub equips girls with practical skills, strengthens their agency, and creates pathways to economic independence.

Activities & Progress

Over the past quarter, the project continued to expand learning opportunities and deepen community engagement.

1. Digital & Creative Skills Training

Girls enrolled in the digital skills sessions continue progressing in computer literacy, basic coding, online safety, and creative digital tools. Participants are also practicing typing, document creation, and multimedia skills to improve their readiness for future academic opportunities. The sessions are boosting confidence, digital exposure, and problem-solving capabilities among girls with minimal prior exposure to technology.

2. Life Skills & SRHR Learning

Weekly girls’ circles remained a safe and supportive space for learning and mentorship. Topics covered include self-esteem building, menstrual health management, decision-making, leadership, and healthy relationships.
Peer-led sessions significantly increase participation and confidence, with girls reporting greater comfort discussing personal challenges and asking questions during the circles.

3. Community & Caregiver Engagement

Two caregiver dialogue forums were held to enhance understanding of the hub’s role and cultivate household-level support. Caregivers expressed increased appreciation for girls’ participation and committed to reducing barriers that limit attendance.
Additionally, community leaders engaged with our team to strengthen local child protection systems and support SRHR and digital learning activities. This collaboration is helping create a more enabling environment for girls’ growth and safety.

Lessons Learned

Peer-led mentorship is highly effective; girls engage more freely and consistently when learning from fellow peers.

Caregiver involvement is essential in reducing dropout risks and ensuring girls have the encouragement they need at home to participate in digital and vocational training.

Looking ahead

Host a skills & community open day for caregivers, leaders, and potential partners to showcase girls’ progress and innovations.

Develop a digital learning resource library to support self-paced learning and broaden access to educational materials.

CONCLUSION

This quarter marks meaningful progress as the Skills Hub continues to evolve into a comprehensive empowerment space for girls in rural Kenya. Through expanded digital training, and community engagement, the project is opening new pathways for girls to gain confidence, skills, and economic opportunities. Despite resource limitations and infrastructure challenges, the girls are demonstrating remarkable resilience, creativity, and determination. We are grateful for the continued support from GlobalGiving donors and remain committed to ensuring that every girl who enters the hub is equipped to lead, thrive, and transform her community