Prevent Sexual Abuse by Educating Girls

Last year, we celebrated 4 high school graduations! 

But after high school students graduate in Kenya, they have to wait one year until their results come out before they can apply for college. This waiting period often makes girls living in poverty more vulnerable to sexual violence as they are forced to do manual labor, provide for their family, or find work on the streets.

So Lydia (pictured above), a Freely in Hope Scholar and fearless advocate for girls rights, decided to do something about it.

Lydia designed the Leadership Development & Entrepreneurship Program (LDEP) to equip students in their gap-year. The program focuses on educating recent high school graduates to become leaders and inspire transformative change in their community. Located in Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya, LDEP provides hands-on training in public speaking, children's rights, community development, and entrepreneurship. Participants are developed in their leadership through spiritual formation, one-on-one mentoring, and biblically-based life skills.

Here's a picture of some of the students after a session on discovering their gifts and talents!They are so excited to be learning, growing, and developing their leadership together.

Thanks for investing in the next generation of Kenyan leaders!