Enhance (mental) health of 1,358 Kenyan youths

TESTIMONY FROM BIRUNDA – UNREACHED TRAINING FOLLOWED BY SILC
“My name is Mercy (not my real name). I am 25 years old and a mother of two. My journey has not been easy, but today I am proud of the woman I have become.
                             My parents separated when I was only three years old. Growing up without both of my parents was difficult, and my family struggled financially. Life was not easy, but I still tried to go to school and make something out of my life.
                             At the age of 17, I got married. I became pregnant while I was still trying to complete my education. It was challenging to balance school, marriage, pregnancy, and all the responsibilities that came with being a young wife. Despite everything, I did not give up. I continued with my education and eventually completed Form Four while I was already married and pregnant.                              Even after completing school, I still faced many challenges. There were times when I did not believe in myself. I struggled to accept who I was and to deal with some of the experiences I had gone through in my life. My marriage also faced challenges, and I needed support to understand myself and my situation better.
                             Things started to change when I joined the KAP Unreached Youths training that mainly focused on young mothers and girls in my area.
It included self-awareness and one-on-one counselling, and this gave me an opportunity to talk openly about my experiences and difficulties.
                             Through the counselling sessions, I learned to understand myself better. I discovered my strengths and began to accept myself. I became more confident and learned how to handle challenges in a more positive way. The support also helped me work through the difficulties in my marriage, and I was able to keep my marriage together.
Then a new opportunity arose: Again making another important change in my life!
It happened when I joined KAP’s new SILC (Savings and Internal Lending Communities) activities. Through SILC, I learned the importance of saving and was able to access funds to start an income-generating activity.
Today, I sell maize and charcoal. My business may be small, but it means a lot to me because it gives me an opportunity to earn my own income and support my family. I feel more independent because I am now able to do something for myself instead of depending entirely on others.
When I look back at where I started, I see how much I have changed. I was a young girl who grew up in difficult circumstances, became a wife and mother at a young age, and struggled with many challenges. Today, I am a woman who believes in herself and is working hard to create a better future for my children.
                             The training taught me to know and accept myself, while SILC gave me an opportunity to become economically independent. I now believe in myself and know that I can do something for my family. My journey has taught me that no matter how difficult life becomes, there is always hope when you have the right support and the determination to move forward.”

SOME UNREACHED (-RELATED) ACTIVITIES SINCE APRIL 2026
During this period we were very grateful for your donations to support especially - amongst others -  the following Unreached (-related) activities:

THE GRADUATION CEREMONIES IN MARIDADI, BIG-TREE AND NAMGOI
These events are important and much appreciated happenings at the end of KAP's core training cycles for Unreached Youths Community Resource Persons (CRP-U's).
A youths training usually last between 5 to 8 months, and consist of (a) non-residental training week and odd 'refresher workshop' days, follow-up activities such as micro-meetings (group-counselling sessions), one-on-one counselling sessions, micro-teachings and Guided Education Sessions, a short 'exam' and eventually the Graduation & Commissioning Ceremony. The latter event is organised as a joint effort between KAP, the participants and the community, and brings together the CRP-Graduants, as well as their parents, friends, partners, children, neighbours, administrative- and religious leaders and leaders of the many participating 'Sending Organisations'.  
The new CRPs demonstrate what they have learned and often testify in touching accounts how they have benefitted as well as their plans for future plans and engagement.
During the period Graduations took place in Maridadi (29th May 2026), Big Tree (24th June 2026) and Namgoi (26th June 2026).

In the Maridadi focus area, our enthusiastic and capable deaf participants and their excellent Sign Language Interpreter Ms. Gladys Mafube deserve special mention!

RE-USABLE SANITARY PADS
Once again these pads, made by our wonderful tailors Ms. Jacqueline Simatwo and Mr. Vincent Mogaka (trained by KIPAWA, Kilifi), received much appreciation by our female participants. They are given out in a separate session, with special attention for menstrual health and hygiene. 
These pads not only reduce the exposure to risky 'pads for sex' behaviour, but also environmental pollution! 

SILC (Savings & Internal Lending Communities)
In this period KAP also extended its pilot SILC activities to one of our 'Unreached Girls' groups. (Name available upon request). This initiative enables participants, often for the first time in their lives, to save (whatever they can afford), and invest in (small) income generating activities, paymnet of school fees etc. (See Testimony below).

KAP NEW STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2031
In June 2026 KAP under the excellent direction of consultant Strategic Connections Ltd / Nairobi, completed the core sections of its new Plan, and its Logframe Analysis. It is available in the attachment (below the 'Financial Report').
Its main components are:

KAP's Mission:     To mitigate the impacts of societal breakdown and restore broken lives through innovative psychoeducation, counseling and capacity strengthening.
Vision:      A healed and caring society where hope abounds.
Strategic Objectives / Result Areas:
1. Community Psychoeducation & Positive Health Behavior Strengthening
2. Community-based Mental Health & Psychosocial Services
3.  Community MHPSS Service Delivery Systems’ Strengthening
     (MHPSS = Mental Health & Psycho-social Support)
4. Institutional Development 

A STORY OF CHANGE FROM BIG TREE LOCATION - MESSO FARM
Jane (not her real name) is a 22-year-old young mother whose life had been shaped by difficult experiences that had taken away much of her hope for the future.
Here is her story:-
           “I grew up under the care of my grandmother, who became my main source of love, care and support after my mother divorced from my father. My father married another wife and my mother too got married elsewhere. I never experienced stable parental support, lacking basic needs such as food and clothing. With all these pressures, while still in school, I became pregnant. The pregnancy was a major turning point in my life, at the age of 14 years I suddenly had to face the responsibility of raising a child.
             My situation became even more difficult when my boyfriend rejected me, leaving me to raise the child on my own. I experienced feelings of rejection, loneliness and uncertainty about my future. Sadly, after giving birth, my grandmother passed on. I was devastated. I was eventually forced to take full responsibility of caring for my child despite the many challenges I faced.
              KAP’s training was an eye opener to me especially the one-on-one counselling support sessions. I started my journey of self-awareness and healing. The sessions created a safe space for me to reflect on my past experiences and understand how they had influenced my thoughts, emotions and decisions
              Through this process, I gradually began to understand myself better and started confronting some of the pain and rejection I had experienced. With time, I developed a new perspective on life and learned to accept my circumstances without allowing them to define my future. I said to myself ‘My past may have shaped me, but it will not determine my future’.
               The support helped me to build confidence, hope and recognize my abilities. I began to believe that, despite my difficult past, I can still create a better future for myself and my child.
                Today, I am taking positive steps towards economic independence by venturing into horticulture. This emerging livelihood opportunity is helping me provide for myself and meet the needs of my child.
                 My dream is to become economically stable enough to support my child's education and, one day, pay for my own course at a polytechnic training institute. Although I still face challenges as a young single mother, but now I am looking at the future with renewed determination and hope.
                 I am now a role model to my peers through my journey.   Despite experiencing neglect, childhood trauma, teenage pregnancy, rejection and the challenges of single parenthood, I have chosen to move forward.”
Jane's story demonstrates the value of investing in young women and men through trainings, psychosocial support and opportunities that build confidence, resilience and self-reliance. With continued support and access to livelihood and skills-development opportunities, they can move from vulnerability to hope, dignity and greater independence.

• GLOBALGIVING-UNREACHED YOUTHS.P1.-FINANCIAL REPORT (PDF)