Empower 250 Girls from Kibra Slums

Introduction

In line with our mission to empower marginalized girls through education, psychological support, and reproductive health awareness, the Sunflower Trust embarked on a transformative journey between June and August 2024. The primary aim of this program was to gauge literacy levels, provide relevant interventions, and foster growth in areas such as STEM, leadership, and self-awareness. This report highlights the key activities, outcomes, and achievements of this period.

June 2024: Literacy Testing in Kibra Slums.

In June 2024, a comprehensive literacy assessment was conducted for 250 adolescent girls from 11 informal settlement schools in Kibra. The objective was to evaluate their literacy proficiency and categorize them into appropriate learning groups. The assessment was carried out in both literacy and the local language to ensure an accurate reflection of their skills. Based on their performance, the girls were grouped as Beginners, Letter level, Word level, Paragraph level and Story level.

This classification enabled us to tailor our educational materials and approaches to suit the varying needs of the girls, ensuring effective and personalized learning experiences.

August 2024: Literacy Bootcamp.

Following the assessment, a month-long literacy bootcamp was held in August 2024 at the Sunflower Trust Literacy Lab. The bootcamp targeted girls in grades 4 to 9 and those in high school (Form 1 to Form 4). The program focused on enhancing literacy skills and introducing the girls to the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The key components of the bootcamp included:

Literacy Development: Activities such as reading, storytelling, and comprehension exercises were tailored to the respective literacy levels of the adolescent girls, ensuring progressive skill-building.

STEM Education: The girls were introduced to foundational concepts in coding, design, editing, and HTML, sparking their interest in technology and digital skills.

Leadership Skills: Leadership workshops were conducted to foster confidence, decision-making, and problem-solving skills in the adolescent girls.

Self-Awareness and Personal Growth.

In addition to literacy and STEM, the bootcamp placed a significant emphasis on self-awareness. The girls were taught about the various types of self-awareness and the dangers of lacking this crucial life skill. They learned how self-awareness contributes to personal growth, influences relationships, and shapes intelligence. The program also highlighted the essential role parents play in nurturing their children’s self-awareness. This holistic approach ensured that the girls not only improved academically but also developed emotionally and socially.

Addressing Period Poverty.

One of the most impactful outcomes of the program was the distribution of sanitary towels to 250 adolescent girls. Each girl received 2 packs of sanitary towels, a provision that will help alleviate the burden of period poverty for two months. This program ensured that the girls could focus on their education without being hindered by menstrual challenges, thus promoting school attendance and overall well-being.

Conclusion

The June-August 2024 period was marked by significant strides in enhancing the literacy levels, technological skills, leadership capabilities, and self-awareness of adolescent girls from Kibra slums. The support provided through educational resources and menstrual health supplies empowered these girls to pursue their education with confidence and determination. The Sunflower Trust remains committed to ensuring that these girls continue to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially, paving the way for a brighter future.