Gender Equality Kenya Project #21657

Nakuru Safehouse for Kenya Women and Children

by Springs of Hope Foundation

Nakuru Safehouse for Kenya Women and Children

Project Report | Jun 27, 2024
We love reaching out and supporting our surrounding community

By Jennifer Hughes | Founder/CEO

Menstrual Hygiene Day(MH Day) is a global campaign celebrated on May 28th each year. It unites nonprofits, governments, individuals, businesses, and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene. The 2024 MH Day theme is Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.

Springs of Hope Foundation graduates have been sewing washable, reusable sanitary kits for the past three years thanks to kind your kind support of our program. It's a win-win project for our graduates, who live with us for free for 3 three months after completing their 12-month course, sewing the reusable pads and earning enough money to purchase their own sewing machine and seed money to start up their own business while at the same time improving their speed and accuracy and the women who receive the sanitary kits, which are usually distributed during our food hamper distributions unless there is a special request for sanitary kits on days such as today, MHDay.

Each kit contains 8 washable, waterproof pads, two pairs of undies, soap, a washcloth, and an informational brochure in a reusable bag.

For today's event, we were invited to partner with the Nakuru Chapter of YALI, Young African Leadership Initiative.

The members from YALI also presented to the adolescent girls and boys about the natural changes to expect in their growing bodies during the
challenging years ahead of puberty.In a #PeriodFriendlyWorld, the stigma and taboo surrounding menstruation should be history. It is a world where everyone should have access to the products, education, and infrastructure they need.

Did you know…

Less than half of adolescent girls in Kenya are aware of menstruation before their first period.
Only 46% of Kenyan girls and women in rural areas and 65% in urban areas have access to and use disposable pads; close to 20% are forced to use proxy products like toilet paper, pieces of cloth, and other natural materials, while most are forced to spend several days a month out of school due to lack of menstrual hygiene pads and shame associated with their period. (Menstrual Health Country Snapshot - Kenya, 2023)

We are honored, thankful, and humbled by your generous support, which allows us to offer these programs to the most needy in our community.

Asante Sana,

Warmest blessings,

Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom

Links:

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Dec 26, 2023
A bright future is ahead for our recent graduates.

By Martha Kariuki | Project head teacher.

Honorable Dorcas Gathere, member of Nakuru County

The semiannual graduation ceremony at Springs of Hope Foundation’s Kijiji Mission projects was held on 19/1/ 2023. The ceremony started with a welcome address by Pastor Susan to esteemed dignitaries on the dais, parents, students, and faculty members. This was further followed by a word of prayer

The Ceremony was graced by dignitaries, namely: Honorable Antony Kamau, member of Nakuru County Assembly Nakuru East; Honorable Dorcas Gathere, member of Nakuru County Assembly Nakuru Town; young girls from Jimmia and our Business Education trainer Margret Wangeci.

The function proceeded with a word of God from the master of ceremony, Pastor Susan. Afterward, the girls presented different dances, poems, and sign language songs. The session was crowned by a fashion show where the girls showcased their abilities and the products they had made while training at Kijiji Mission; the parents were impressed by the wonderful products and were very proud of their daughter's skills and talent.

There followed the speeches from the representatives of the ongoing class and the graduates who appreciated the opportunity they got at Springs of Hope Foundation, which has transformed their lives, hence giving them meaning in life. Motivational and inspirational speeches from parents and staff members followed.

Margaret, the newest member of our team, introduced the dignitaries; they gave very inspiring speeches and promised to network with the Springs of Hope Foundation towards the growth and empowerment of the girls after graduating from the project.

We had the honor of the dignitaries issuing the certificates to the graduates, and it was such an honor to have these prominent government officials gracing the occasion.

Our visitors had ample time to look at the uniform's production, which is ongoing, and the washable diapers and pads that the graduates are stitching to earn money for a sewing machine, which they receive after successfully completing their course.

On behalf of our board of directors, volunteers, and the communities we serve we are so very thankful for your continued support for this project. I wish you a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year filled with love, joy, excellent health, music, laughter, prosperity, and peace!

Warmest regards,

Jennifer Hughes

Founder/CEO

A proud moment for Daisy and her family.

Martha demonstrating our washable reusable diapers

Margaret explaining our washable sanitary pad kit.

Our proud students display their work to family.

Our students performing a song in sign language.

And, of course, the fashion parade.

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Aug 9, 2023
Another joyous celebration.

By Martha Kariuki | Project head teacher.

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