Educate and Empower Street Children in Kenya

Soul Sisters is a group of more than 20 teenage girls at the CYEC between the ages of 13 and 19 years. It started out as a mentorship program which aimed at educating the girl child on real life situations and how to manage teenagehood and the pressures that come with it. It is a program that equips the young ladies with good social morals and eventually molds them into mentors. 

Four of our girls recently participated in a week-long girls’ camp hosted by the Peace Corps in Meru .The camp, Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) was focused on HIV awareness and prevention. Other topics learned were sexual rights, gender sensitivity, sexuality, relationships, communication and decision-making skills, their body, puberty and reproduction and sexual reproductive health.

The camp had more than 100 young girls from Eastern and Central region who participated.

Our long-time supporter and friend, Chris Aredo, rallied his friends near and far to beautify the Centre for our kids! Over the holidays, he raised funds and convinced his friends to join him as they cleaned and painted the dining hall and boys' dormitory. They also bought some new soccer balls for the kids and enjoyed a weekend of dancing and playing football (soccer). Those on the ground put in six days of work (with a little fun)! We are so appreciative of those who donated funds and time to make this happen! What a wonderful gift for the New Year!

In honor of your support of the Children & Youth Empowerment Centre in Kenya, we’ve composed a special version of The 12 Days of Christmas.  We think even those of you who don’t celebrate Christmas will enjoy! 

 “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a book written by a child at the Children and Youth Empowerment Centre.”

 In the summer of 2014, several Penn State students helped establish a writing program at the Centre to allow children to literally tell their stories. With donated software and a printer, the program continues.

 “On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me two sets of paints and a book written by a child at the CYEC.”

 Several years ago, K-State students in the Leadership Studies program established a full set of co-curricular activities including an arts club.  Local volunteers meet with the children every week to help them develop their creative talents. They now have a vibrant visual and performing arts program.

 “On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three acres of drip irrigation, two sets of paints and a book written by a child at the CYEC.”

 Penn State engineering students installed a drip irrigation system in a section of the CYEC garden.  Now the youth help grow veggies for the centre year-round. We hope to install a drip system at the eco-village in Othaya  in 2016.

 “On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me four outreach programs, three acres of drip irrigation, two sets of paints and a book written by a child at the CYEC.”

 The CYEC is a resource for poor local families, providing fun days focused on literacy for young children. By supporting local education, they can help more children succeed, beyond those in the Centre, and help ensure fewer children end up on the streets.

 “On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me five preschoolers playing & learning, four outreach programs, three acres of drip irrigation, two sets of paints and a book written by a child at the CYEC.”

 The CYEC opened its nursery school program to the local community in 2012. Now these children enter primary school ready to learn.

 “On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me six students a-studying, five preschoolers playing & learning, four outreach programs, three acres of drip irrigation, two sets of paints and a book written by a child at the CYEC.”

 Public education in Kenya is free through 8^th grade, but secondary schools charge tuition.  Local and international ZFI sponsors support CYEC youth as they further their education. Our kids regularly rank at the top of their class!

 “On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven children breakfasting, six students a-studying, five preschoolers playing & learning, four outreach programs, three acres of drip irrigation, two sets of paints and a book written by a child at the CYEC.”

 ZFI donors ensure CYEC children have a healthy breakfast before school 3 days a week.  We also provide medical and educational supplies and clothing.

 “On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me 8 youth a-milking, 7 children breakfasting, 6 students a-studying, 5 preschoolers playing & learning, 4 outreach programs, 3 acres of drip irrigation, 2 sets of paints and a book written by a child at the CYEC.”

 The Centre’s two dairy cows provide milk for the children with surplus to sell to neighbors, supporting both nutrition and income!

 “On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me 9 youth a-baling, 8 youth a-milking, 7 children breakfasting, 6 students a-studying, 5 preschoolers playing & learning, 4 outreach programs, 3 acres of drip irrigation, 2 sets of paints and a book written by a child at the CYEC.”

 Several years ago a PSU faculty member helped youth start a hay-baling business. They’ve received grants to provided training to youth in Uganda and other parts of Kenya to expand the program – helping many young people across the region!

 “On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me 10 volunteers mentoring, 9 youth a-baling, 8 youth a-milking, 7 children breakfasting, 6 students a-studying, 5 preschoolers playing & learning, 4 outreach programs, 3 acres of drip irrigation, 2 sets of paints and a book written by a child at the CYEC.”

 Friends of the CYEC in Kenya have formed the Zawadi Society, a group of local volunteers who mentor and tutor children at the Centre. It’s so important for the kids to have a special someone who cares about them!

 “On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me 11 children playing, 10 volunteers mentoring, 9 youth a-baling, 8 youth a-milking, 7 children breakfasting, 6 students a-studying, 5 preschoolers playing & learning, 4 outreach programs, 3 acres of drip irrigation, 2 sets of paints and a book written by a child at the CYEC.”

 After school activities include sports, reading, music, and an environmental club to help CYEC children and youth develop their self-awareness and have fun!

 “On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me 12 youth succeeding, 11 children playing, 10 volunteers mentoring, 9 youth a-baling, 8 youth a-milking, 7 children breakfasting, 6 students a-studying, 5 preschoolers playing & learning, 4 outreach programs, 3 acres of drip irrigation, 2 sets of paints and a book written by a child at the CYEC.”

 The CYEC strives to develop the potential of these children & youth so they can lead happy, productive lives. Your support helps us meet this goal!

The CYEC established our pre-school in January 2012. Its main aim is to give the children quality education and enable them to have a firm schooling foundation and create an all round pupil at the end of their pre-school life.  Our school has an excellent reputation for high performance. It’s a community based school where we impact the lives of not only the children at the Centre but also the community around us so that we can eradicate illiteracy from our community completely

It started its operations with with eight children, three from the Centre and five from the community around it. By the end of its first year there were 20 children with one teacher, Mrs. Magdaline, who taught all of them under one roof. The classes are categorized into class 1 for children aged 3 years, class 2 for children aged 4 year and class 3 for children aged 5 years who will later proceed to join various primary schools.

After the children have successfully gone through the process they graduate so that they can join Primary school. The first graduation of 15 students was in 2014. This year we are proud to have hosted another graduation on 12 November  where we had 12 graduates. The aim of this graduation was to celebrate the three years we have had with the children and to bring on board all the people involved in educating these children. It also helps the children know that working hard at school has its reward.

We currently have 38 children and hope that by next year the number will increase due to our high standards and our potential growth. Due to this we will be able to divide the three classes so that each class should have its teacher. We are also hopeful that we shall have a variety of extra curriculum activities and also recreational activities to aid in making the students’ life more enjoyable and children friendly.

Your support helps make this possible! Please consider making a recurring gift this year to help support the education of these children!

The Children and Youth Empowerment Centre is growing to better serve our current children and reach out to more children in the area. We are expanding into a nearby community of Ngaini where we are renting land with five acres and a small facility to provide a home-like space for weekend activities and events focused on our younger children. There are various themes for the weekend events, with literacy and play-times a constant. The facility also provides a space for staff training and land to grow corn and vegetables.

We recently invited families in Ngaini to visit our new home and share our love of books and learning, as shown in the photos. Children in the area are hungry for more opportunities to learn and grow, and we’re thrilled to have a space exclusively for our little ones.

Your support makes this possible! Global Giving is holding a Bonus Giving Day on Wed. 16 Sept. Starting at 9.00 EDT (8 CDT), all gifts will be matched at 30% while funds last. Please take advantage of this time to make your gift go further! There will be another opportunity in October if this one sneaks past!

Thank you very much! Asante sana!