Empower 250 Girls from Kibra Slums

In August 2025, the Sunflower Trust successfully implemented a three-week PALE Holiday Program designed to empower adolescent girls through a holistic, skills-based approach. A total of 94 girls participated in the sessions, which emphasized literacy development, STEM education, communication skills, storytelling, self-awareness, life skills, and gender sensitization.

Storytelling was a core component of the program, enabling our PALE girls to craft compelling and interactive narratives using Scratch, a visual programming language. This approach not only promoted creativity and digital literacy but also offered the girls a dynamic platform for self-expression.

Aligned with the overarching theme “Knowing Yourself,” the program encouraged girls to set short-term goals and reflect on their personal growth. Targeted literacy instruction supported significant progress, with many participants advancing from story-level to paragraph-level writing. Notably, 40% of the girls demonstrated measurable improvement in their literacy skills, underscoring the program’s impact on strengthening foundational reading and writing competencies.

The STEM sessions introduced hands-on experiments and basic coding activities that helped demystify science and technology subjects. These practical exercises enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving abilities while broadening the girls’ interest in STEM fields that they may not have previously considered accessible.

In addition, communication sessions focused on active listening, public speaking, and assertiveness. These activities built confidence and enabled many participants to articulate their thoughts more clearly and engage meaningfully in group discussions – a necessary step toward both leadership and academic success.

A major highlight of the program was the integration of the Girl Rising 24-week Life Skills and Gender Sensitization Curriculum. This resource guided our girls in exploring their identities, building resilience, and challenging restrictive gender norms. As a KICD-approved and globally recognized curriculum, it further equipped the girls with tools to recognize their strengths, set personal goals, and embrace a growth mindset.

So, by the end of the three-week program, participants had gained enhanced confidence, self-awareness, and advocacy skills. They emerged better prepared to pursue their ambitions and take on leadership roles as change agents within their communities.

Parental Engagement.

During this reporting period, a total of 62 parents attended a parental engagement sessions in July and August 2025 aimed at strengthening their understanding and support for their children’s education and aspirations. The session provided parents with insights into the school-based curriculum implementation program that their children are currently participating in, enabling them to better appreciate the structure, content and goals of the learning process.

Parents also deepened their understanding of the importance of education for both boys and girls. Through discussions and interactive activities, they reflected on how equal opportunities in education contribute to long-term success and community development. The session emphasized the need for parents to play an active role in motivating and encouraging adolescents to pursue their dreams.

Additionally, parents were introduced to basic gender concepts and learned strategies for equally supporting the ambitions of both boys and girls without discrimination. These discussions helped to challenge traditional gender norms and promote a culture of fairness, equity, and inclusivity within families and communities.

The session further highlighted the importance of supporting children’s dreams and aspirations even in the face of difficult circumstances such as COVID-19, natural or man-made disasters, conflict, and low-income living conditions. Parents acknowledged the critical role they play in promoting resilience, hope, and determination among adolescents despite these challenges.

Beneficiary Testimonial.

Listen to Sheryl, a young girl who shares her dreams of becoming the first Kenyan woman to go to space. After attending the Sunflower Trust STEM Spark program, she discovered her passion for space exploration especially during the fascinating "Space Walk" lesson, where she learned the importance of space suits in protecting astronauts. As she prepares to join Senior Secondary School next year, she’s confidently choosing the STEM career pathway, determined to turn her dream of becoming an astronaut into reality.

Links:

• Beneficiary Testimonial