Improving lives of 1000 girls in Nairobi's slums

VAP’s Secure Futures program is amongst the 16 projects out of 270 projects globally that has been shortlisted in the 2020 Beyond Sports Awards ‘Reduced Inequalities Award (SDG 10) category. Secure Futures program works towards meeting the needs of marginalized girls in unsafe settings, using intentional designed approaches and girl-centered methodologies. The program focuses on pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers living in the informal settlements around Nairobi where participants have a safe space that ushers in: life skills education, parenting support and Income Generating Activities (IGAs).

Positive Masculinity Forum

In support of Secure Future participants, a group of male participants consisting of: boyfriends and husbands converged for a one day forum under the banner of ‘HESHIMA’ program which is an off shoot initiative for ‘Secure Future’.Heshima program is a support network of ‘Secure Future’ participants which consists of; husbands, and boyfriends of the pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers whose main aim is to create positive masculinity, women’s right, child development support, and prevention of violence to their female partners. The day’s agenda was: Drug & Alcohol abuse, its effects and how to fight it.

Training of coaches

A breed of new and existing Goal coaches pose for a photo after going through a 3 days training of coaches’course.The training was conducted to: equip the newly recruited coaches with knowledge about Goal program, learn more on facilitation skills and delivery of sessions, learn from other existing coaches, share experiences and to gain more knowledge on why Goal uses sports to implement the program, adapting covid-19 measure while implementing the program, exploring on how to handle GBV cases, referral processes, and more over to have fun and create a bonding environment

As part of the Employment + Entrepreneurship initiative, apprenticeship is one of the packages included in the vocational training courses for VAP’s life skills program graduates both boys and girls. Whereas the other vocational training courses have been affected by covid-19, apprenticeship participants are slowly being enrolled in their respective areas of interest including: carpentry, tailoring, electrical, hair and beauty as well mechanic. Apprenticeship training is done in partnership with various local partners who include; Salon, tailoring institutions, carpentry workshops, wiring and electrical institutions etc.

Business Training For Secure Futures

VAP held a three-day business training for 12 secure futures participants from cohort one. The young mums acquired skills and knowledge for running a small business and improving their current business. The young mums were participating in the training were ill prepared to start a business as they started the class but after the classthe training became an eye opener to most of them to be able to start and run successful businesses. Young mums were enthusiastic and prepared to learn as evidence by their active participation and regular attendance.

VAPCares Covid-19 Response Initiative

Under the belt of ‘VAPCares Covid-19’ Response initiative, Naivas supermarket, one of Kenya’s leading chain of supermarkets teamed up with VAP to distribute food and other covid-19 protective items including; soap and sanitizers. The food drive campaign aimed at various underprivileged strong hold communities of VAP’s program. With the distribution strategy in place to avoid commotion and other dangers during the pandemic period, the distribution were done through door-to- door visits of program participants with some of their parents visiting the office in few numbers and in turns. Additional food stuff is given to program participants during program graduations

The adaptation of Home Based Interventions (HBI) including graduations of girls programs are conducted in different places and different ways while strictly observing covid-19 rules and guidelines. With the closure of schools and participants being at homes, coaches are conducting sessions with not more than 15 participants. As a bonus information on every program conducted, participants are taken through covid-19 awareness and preventive information.

 Apprenticeship

As part of the Employment + Entrepreneurship initiative, apprenticeship is one of the packages included in the vocational training courses for VAP’s life skills program graduates both boys and girls. Whereas the other vocational training courses have been affected by covid-19, apprenticeship participants are slowly being enrolled in their respective areas of interest including: carpentry, tailoring, electrical, hair and beauty as well mechanic. Apprenticeship training is done in partnership with various local partners who include; Salon, tailoring institutions, carpentry workshops, wiring and electrical institutions etc.

Secure Future’s Training of Trainers Workshop for New Coaches

With an increased number of both young and expectant mothers who have become more vulnerable during the covid-19 period, VAP recruited new female coaches and conducted a three days training of trainers’ course. The aims of the trainings was to bring the newly recruited coaches up to speed with the Secure Future’s program objectives and to equip them fully  with the necessary skills on how to conduct the program safely and securely with the participants. Participants were taken through both curricular: Power Mums and Readiness curriculum, including emotional intelligence skills for the purposes on confronting any psychosocial and emotional needs that may rise up from different participants from diverse backgrounds.

With the new normal way of conducting programs taking shape in our communities, the first monitoring and evaluation meeting of coaches was held at VAP offices. The meeting which was held in turns with a minimal number of coaches in attendance focused on strategic and innovative ways of conducting programs through various channels including: home based interventions, setting up of toll-free numbers for pyscho-social and mental health support for program participants and other online programming for vocational training participants and placements for apprenticeship participants.

Pyscho-Social Support

As one way of making sure that participants continue receiving vital information concerning health issues including: mental health support, family planning, and a full psycho social support, VAP has established Toll-Free numbers for participants to call. This will curb the rising cases of teen pregnancies and women violence as a result of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The lines have been created due to the absence of enough spaces for conversations surrounding, reproductive health topics, contraceptives, sexual debut, etc. Part of the conversations with the participants surround covid-19 prevention information.

 Home-Based Interventions

With Covid-19 having slowed down many activities across the globe, innovation is creeping in in different ways.VAP’s program interventions have taken a new dimension with the adaptation of Home-based interventions. Coaches are tasked to handle a sizeable number of participants from their respective neighborhoods while adhering and observing the guidelines of Covid-19. As a bonus to the focused program information, participants are taught about the awareness and preventive measures of Covid-19.

VAP’s Employment +Entrepreneurship project participant who is pursuing ‘tailoring course’ as part of her vocational training has been in the forefront of curbing the spread of covid-19 by making masks. Supported by VAP, the masks are distributed through door to door visits in communities where VAP participants reside. The mask distribution is supplementing soap distribution and food stuff that has been going on in various communities."Am happy to join the rest of the world in fighting covid-19 by utilizing my course experience of tailoring to make masks and distribute for free.I thank all the dononations made to VAP for making this possibel.My goal is to produce 300 masks per day and am appealing to all well wishers to help VAP by making any kind of donation that would support thousands and thousands of girls and youth that VAP serves here in Nairobi." Said 19 years old Rose.