Girls for the future Project

Introduction

Sharon's story is one of determination, resilience, and empowerment. At 25, Sharon faced significant challenges, including an unplanned pregnancy that disrupted her educational path. However, through her involvement with the Girls for the Future Project, she found an alternative way to secure a future for herself and her family. This case study outlines her journey from apprenticeship to business ownership, highlighting the transformative impact of skill acquisition and support from various organizations.

Background

In January 2021, Sharon enrolled in the Women Enterprise Program, part of the Girls for the Future Project. The project aims to provide young women with the skills and resources they need to achieve economic independence. Sharon, unable to attend college due to her circumstances, embraced this opportunity to grow professionally.

Sharon’s program included six months of life skills training, where she focused on beauty therapy and barbering. This foundational training was followed by a three-month industrial attachment, where she gained practical experience. By October 2021, Sharon had completed her training, passing the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) exams and officially graduating from the program.

Determined to advance her skills, Sharon worked in various beauty salons in Kisumu and Homa Bay. Despite earning modest commissions, she was disciplined in saving money to purchase essential salon equipment. Her vision was clear—she wanted to establish her beauty shop and become self-sufficient.

Sharon’s entrepreneurial aspirations were further supported when she received additional training through the Kenya Youth Empowerment Opportunities Program (KYEOP). This training focused on business management and record-keeping, essential skills for any aspiring entrepreneur. In addition, Sharon received a Ksh. 20,000 start-up capital grant, which enabled her to open her beauty shop in Katito town in February 2024.

Conclusion

Sharon’s entrepreneurial success has had a significant impact not only on her life but also on her family. She is now able to support her 4-year-old child, paying for kindergarten fees and covering household expenses. In addition, she assists her younger sister, who is currently pursuing her college education. Sharon’s story does not end here—she plans to expand her business to include a barbering shop, create employment opportunities for others, and eventually move to a larger business premises.

Reflecting on her journey, Sharon expresses gratitude for the support she received from the Mango Tree and their donors. Her experience serves as a powerful reminder of the value of skills training and empowerment programs for young women. “In life, you cannot predict how your destiny will unfold,” she advises. “Girls should take seriously any skills they can acquire to help them in the future.”

Sharon’s success is a testament to the transformative power of education, mentorship, and community support in helping individuals overcome adversity and achieve financial independence. Her story encourages other young women to pursue skill acquisition as a means to secure their future.

Introduction

The Girls for the Future project aims to support young women and girls in rural areas, particularly in Homa-bay County, Western Kenya, by providing them with educational opportunities and empowering them through various interventions. This project seeks to enhance their access to education, build resilience within the community, and mitigate discrimination, gender-based violence, and stigma.

Project Objectives

The Girls for the Future project focuses on two key objectives:

• Recruiting vulnerable women who dropped out of school and providing them with apprenticeship opportunities to enhance their business skills and improve their livelihoods, supporting their own and their children's education.
• Empowering women through education, vocational training, and enterprise projects to enhance their economic independence and resilience.

Key Activities and Progress

The Girls for the Future project has undertaken several activities in the reporting period of Jan to March 2024 to achieve its objectives:

a)           Rescue Center for Vulnerable Girls

The project admitted nine (9) girls to the Rescue Centre with a commitment to protecting the vulnerable, rescuing them from various forms of violence, including sexual abuse, domestic violence, and lost-and-found cases. These girls have undergone extensive counseling sessions, providing them with a safe space to heal and overcome their traumatic experiences.

b)          Business and Financial Literacy Training

The project conducted comprehensive business management and finance literacy training for 30 groups of Village Savings and Loaning Association (VSLA). The goal was to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to manage their finances effectively.

The training yielded promising results, with 60 participants from 3 groups successfully managed to get group loan from Equity bank. The loans was for expanding their businesses. 

c)           Comprehensive Reproductive Health Education and Seminars

The project conducted reproductive health talks in local schools, engaging a 937 students (531 girls and 406 boys) with the aim of empowering the minds of young girls and boys. These talks covered critical topics such as behavior change, peer influence, and sexual gender-based violence (SGBV). Sanitary towels were distributed to 240 vulnerable girls, ensuring that they continue their education without impediments and promote their menstrual hygiene.

d)          HIV Awareness and Testing

Through community mobilization efforts, the project facilitated HIV testing for 202 people (102 female and 100 male). No reactive case was reported.

e)           Apprenticeship Program

In an effort to embrace inclusivity, the program enrolled 24 girls and young women, a notable inclusion of teenage mothers. The proximity of their babies during training allows these mothers to concentrate effectively, facilitating their personal and professional development. This expansion of our program underscores our commitment to providing opportunities to a diverse group of young women.

To foster skills and career development of young girls, especially those enrolled in the apprenticeship program, 2 girls are currently engaged in field exposure activities within various salons while 7 of the girls were able to sit for their National Industrial Training Authority(NITA) examination, a milestone that can open doors to rewarding careers.

f)            Children with Correctable Disabilities

During the project's implementation, children with correctable disabilities were identified and facilitated their referral to the Association of Persons with Disabilities in Kenya (APDK). Nine (9) children have been successfully reunited with their families after these surgeries.

People living with disabilities, particularly those who have undergone surgeries, require ongoing support for successful reintegration into their families and communities. The project remains committed to this mission, ensuring that individuals can lead fulfilling lives following their hospital discharge.

To minimize stigma and provide support, the project continues to raise disability awareness within the community. A key element of this effort is the establishment of psycho social support groups for caregivers. Currently, 102 caregivers actively participate in these groups, offering and receiving vital emotional support during monthly meetings.

g)          Parenting Skills and Support

The projects "Families Matter" program extends beyond just children; it focuses on empowering parents and guardians. Training sessions were conducted for 72 parents/guardians, equipping them with valuable parenting skills and highlighting the significance of family. This initiative is essential for fostering healthy family dynamics, reducing challenges like early pregnancies and early marriages that are prevalent in the project region. As parents gain a better understanding of themselves and their children, the entire community benefits.

 Challenges

1. Financial Constraints for Women's Enterprises: lack of sufficient finances to adequately support the growth of women's enterprises, which are essential to meet the needs of our targeted women-owned businesses. Securing the necessary funding remains a critical obstacle in our mission to empower women economically.
2. Complexities in Child Abuse Cases: Many of the abused children we encounter come from extremely vulnerable households.
3. Persistent Stigma Surrounding Disabilities: Many in the community still wrongly associate disabilities with witchcraft, which perpetuates stereotypes and discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Conclusion

The Girls For the Future project has been a catalyst for trans formative change within the communities. Through a variety of interventions, the project has empowered individuals and families, instilling hope and fostering growth. The partnership with Equity Bank of Kenya has provided financial literacy, resulting in the successful opening of savings accounts and the expansion of businesses among VSLA groups. Meanwhile, the apprenticeship program has equipped young girls with skills and career opportunities, promoting inclusivity by welcoming teenage mothers.

Our commitment to strengthening families through parenting skills training has laid the foundation for healthier dynamics and reduced societal challenges. The rescue center has provided vital support to girls recovering from various forms of violence. Comprehensive reproductive health education has empowered students to make informed choices, and our community mobilization efforts have enabled HIV testing and support for those in need.

Finally, our dedication to restoring the lives of children with correctable disabilities and reducing stigma through awareness campaigns has been heartening. As we continue our journey, we remain unwavering in our mission to make a lasting impact, building a brighter future for all within our communities.