Improving lives of 1000 girls in Nairobi's slums

Annual community stake holders  forum was held at VAP’s Youth Empowerment centre, ‘A place of pride for the youth and the community’.The forum brought together various stake holders including:parents,teachers,participants,partners and like-minded organizations to discuss about the challenges and successes of  VAP’s programs in the community.The meeting is normally used as a ‘feedback lab’ where VAP collects,suggestions and opinions from the community and participants that helps to shape up the programs and the organization to effectively serve community needs.Additionally,the forum provides a platform for VAP’s partners to integrate and hear directly from the participants and members of the community about the challenges and impact of various programs implemented by VAP. “ My daughter’s self esteem and confidence was very low but when she joined VAP Employment and Entrepreneurship initiative,she has developed self esteem and confidence.The business skills she got enabled her to open her own business and VAP is walking with her through her business journey to make sure she stabilizes.” Jane’s mother.

 FIBA Foundation Donates Basketball Balls

One year down the line since the inception  and introduction of  basketball based program as part of the plan to expand and integrate additional sport as a tool for social and economic development,VAP received a donation of 60 basketballs from FIBA foundation.The balls will be used to support ‘Stand Tall Program’ in schools and communities around Nairobi and its environs where participants have been involved in basketball fun based lifeskills focusing on positive health and well being,social connection,teamwork and the development of resiliency and employability skills ON and OFF the basketball court.As an additional layer of sports,VAP aims to provide a different taste of sports to its ever growing number of youth while hanging on to its mission of integrating social and economic values through sports by creating a pro-active health environment.

A total of  10  teams comprised  of girls from different schools within Nairobi and its environ converged at VAP’s Youth Empowerment Centre to celebrate the International Day of Girl Child and at the same time play in the finals of Wasichana Wacheze ‘Girls Play’ finals.The finals were the climax of the 5 months ongoing football league played in different schools and zones across Nairobi. Wasichana Wacheze league brought on board over 538 girls who played football with a focus of gaining valuable life skills such as building self-confidence, effective communication, decision making, problem solving, self-awareness, critical thinking, empathy and leadership to exercise their rights through active play.The finals were attended by teachers from respective schools and community members including government representatives who came to celebrate the Day of The Girl Child.Amongst the attendees were Metropolitan hospital who provided ambulance and first aid services to all players including other health services :blood,sugar and pressure tests.Participants were also taken through couselling sessions from various partners including Amani Counseling centre.The winners were awarded with a trophy, 15 pairs of Puma jerseys and shorts with medals as the runners up Highway Education Centre from Kiambiu were awarded with 20 pairs of Puma stockings, a trophy, medals, as the best coach in the tournament was awarded with a trophy and a track suit and the best coach. Zone League winner were awarded with 2 balls and trophy as the best individual players were awarded with signature school bags & trophies as the 4 zonal coordinators were also awarded with track suits.