Prevent Sexual Abuse by Educating Girls

Many of you have reached out to us after the massacre at Garissa University College that happened on April 2. We are grateful for your care and your concern. We are also immensely grateful that all of our scholars are safe. We stand in solidarity with the families and friends of the 147 that have been martyred—they are not just a number, they are one of us.

They were students—striving to better the world through their education, like we are.

Despite the unsettling incidents of violence in Kenya, our scholars have shown incredible resilience. Since the year began, we have placed 5 new high schoolers into communities where they are thriving. Our university scholars are also settling into their new universities studying in programs from law, medical labratory, mass communications and gender development studies!

Yesterday, our staff held a gathering with our scholars to debrief on Kenya's recent attacks. Osikol, our law student shared, "I am not giving up. Nothing is going to distract me from my goal. I am taking the lead and I am aiming to be the top of my class by the end of the semester. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to study in law—this is my hope for a better Kenya." 

Our hope is that Osikol and our other scholars will be that hope for their community, their country and the world.

Freely in Hope is incredibly grateful that you are standing together with us in partnership with these dreams!

Since the massacre, Al-Shabaab has continued to threaten Christian high schools, colleges, churches and hospitals across Kenya. Many of the targets that Al-Shabaab has threatened are places where our scholars live, worship and go to school. Thank you for your prayers, concern and love for our Freely in Hope community. 

In moments like these, it is hope that keeps us strong. 

Thank you for your continued support!

Through your support in 2014, we have...

Funded holistic scholarships for 10 girls in high school and university,

Hosted our first International Day of the Girl Summit with over 50 students and practitioners in Nairobi,

Led workshops in academic institutions to educate on the power of storytelling with survivors of sexual violence,

Led art therapy workshops with boys and girls who are survivors of defilement,

Facilitated discussions on fighting against sexual violence with organizations, schools and churches,

Celebrated 1 university graduation and 1 law school graduation!

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In 2014, we equipped our scholars to share their stories and lead conversations on ending sexual violence with over 1,000 people including women in prostitution, girls rescued from female genital mutilation, children who are survivors of defilement, university and high school students living in the slums, leaders of faith communities and practitioners focused on legal advocacy, health, counseling and psychosocial care in Kenya and Zambia.

Next year, we have big hopes to do even more by expanding our leadership programs and advocacy platforms to reach more communities affected by sexual violence. Partner with Freely in Hope and together, let's end the cycle of sexual violence.

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Thank you for making these dreams happen.