Improving lives of 1000 girls in Nairobi's slums

The eruption of covid-19 pandemic is and still continues to be a challenge globally with many people getting infected every day and lives getting lost every minute and hours. Since the first detection of covid-19 in Kenya, its spread has been on the rise with many communities struggling with ways of curbing the virus. However, many of the communities that VAP serve which are slum areas of Nairobi, have been facing a great challenge of basic necessities which include: inadequate water supply which is very key towards preventing covid-19 virus, congestions of houses and people, inadequate soap and sanitizers, masks and other items.

It’s out of the covid-19 breakout that Vijana Amani Pamoja initiated a ‘VAP Cares,Covid-19 Response’ initiative that aims at creating awareness of covid-19 in the slum areas, targeting its youth participants and the entire communities.VAP Cares initiative has been on the frontline making a door to door community visits distributing soaps, and teaching communities on the importance of social distancing, proper hand washing of hands by using soaps, staying At Home  and  reporting to the nearest health facility in case of any symptoms of covid-19 .” Am happy to have received soap and more information of covid-19 awareness, me and my young family are going to stay at home to prevent the disease.” Said 19 year old Jacinta a young mother of 18 months old baby. As VAP Cares covid-19 campaigns continue, we would appreciate any kind of donation that would go towards supporting and spreading the awareness of covid-19 in all the slum areas of Nairobi.

As participants and their families are observing social distancing and staying at home as one of the measures of curbing the spread of covid-19, VAP has created strategies of reaching out to its participants and community at large through various platforms including: parents’ whatsapp group where basic information and any other material regarding Covid-19 will be shared including a hotline telephone number for more information and referrals. Another whatsapp group for older program participants who have access to phones will be created for a similar purpose. All the whatsapp messages will be backed up with sms texts while other information will be posted on social platforms for tech savvy participants and community members.

Creation of Animation for Team: Covid-19 vs Human

Vijana Amani Pamoja is urgently coming up with a creation of animation play that would feature team: Covid-19 Vs Human.This play will entail fun football based activities between Covid-19 (representing The Virus) vv Human team.The activities will narrate how dangerous covid-19 virus is to Human and its effects while also providing the fun based activities that football/soccer provides.The activities will be wrapped up with key covid-19 awareness messgaes to the kids/youuth who are at home to learn and understand how dangerous the virus is while also learning how to prevent the virus and its spread.VAP will work closely with various media houses who will air the program for the youth and the general communities to learn and understand the virus.For this action to take place,VAP is seeking for donations from various individuals to undertake this initiative and reach out to millions of youth and communities around Kenya via broadcasting channels.

A 2 hour family planning and consultation services for over 60 young girls was conducted by an invited nurse from Makadara sub county hospital. The sessions created a safe space for the young girls to openly talk and discuss amongst themselves on issues surrounding a girl child which included sharing of their own experiences about contraceptives. Guided by the nurse, they gained information and methods of increasing safe and effective use of contraceptives. Participants were encouraged to access health services from hospitals and clinics around their neighborhood.

Mixed Gender Football Tournament

As part of bonding and building positive attitudes and masculinity towards female, a mixed gender tournament for young moms and their partners (husbands/boyfriends) was organized on 1^st Feb 2020.The event saw over 100 young moms and 80 male influencers participating. The fun and physical nature of football provided the participants with a rare opportunity to release emotional and physical stress of their challenging living situations. The fun based environment created deeper discussions surrounding other factors including prevention of Gender Based Violence and support of each gender.

 Young Moms Graduation Ceremony

Buru Buru social hall played host to the very first graduation ceremony of the first batch of secure futures participants. Accompanied by their young ones and their male counter parts, a total of 117 young moms and 18 expectant mums were crowned as ‘Power Moms’ for having gone through power moms curriculum which contains topics that relate to communication, building self-confidence, acquiring more parenting skills, acquiring knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, rights and freedom from violence, understanding on how to access resources and institutions in the community as well as financial literacy. Expectant moms went through ‘Mom readiness curriculum’ that contains a range of topics relating to pregnant young women  motherhood preparation including physical and method health during pregnancy and motherhood, breastfeeding, how to access resources in the community, and raisinga healthy baby.

The year 2019 was a great memorable year and there’s no way Vijana Amani Pamoja could usher into the new year without expressing our utmost THANK YOU note to all the:supporters,volunteers,staff,coaches,program participants and the partners, for making it happen. Still at the early foundation of the New Year, VAP has received recognition badges from GlobalGiving foundation for the following commitments: vetted by GlobalGiving for actively engaging with the community and top ranked for the year 2019: Site visit verified badge for hosting GlobalGiving representative: GlobalGiving staff favorite, a selection by one of GlobalGiving Staff, and Effective badge for being dynamic through: Listen, Act, and Learn cycles.

Psychosocial Support Training for Coaches

 A two days psychosocial support training for coaches and volunteers working with secure future program (targeting pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers) was conducted in the month of January. The aim of the training was to impact the coaches to have a better understanding on Loss and Grief and the warning signs associated with the same. The topics came in handy as some of the coaches and the secure future participants had experienced loss and grief during their day to day life activities. “This kind of training is a value addition to me personally and the skills that i have already gained as an agent of change in our communities.” Said 22 years old Esther.

Psychosocial Support Teach Back Sessions

Fresh from the psychosocial support training, secure future coaches dived into teach back sessions of Loss and Grief trainings with secure futures program participants. One after another, participants had an opportunity to share with the coaches in depth matters related to loss, and effects of grief. The sessions created a therapeutic experience as most of the participants don’t have the courage to visit counselors. “I have never attended a session touching on such topics, I have gained lots of information about loss and grief and now I know how to tackle them.” Said  19 years old,Mwanaisha a mother of two

Influencer's Forum

A group of 60 male influencers of Secure Future program participants gathered at the centre of Kiambio slum ready for a candid talk on issues surrounding positive masculinity all geared towards supporting adolescent pregnant girls and young mothers. With majority of them being their spouses, boyfriends, fathers and guardians, the group engaged in a constructive dialogue that sparked vital conversations amongst themselves that outlined their roles and responsibilities as influencers of secure future participants.

18 year old Monica  joined by her grandmother was amongst the last batch of 2019 Employment and Entrepreneurship participants that graduated early in the month of December. Monica who has (moderate) intellectual developmental disability was enrolled at Nile Road special school at the age of 10 years and participated in VAP’s football based life skills programs which she graduated and later on enrolled into Employment+Entrepreneurship project focusing on Catering+ Pastry course. “Am happy to see my granddaughter completing her course and ready for job opportunity and work just like any other person.” Said Monica’s grandmother.

Teaming Up For Good

A one day interactive session on sexual reproductive health and presentations of re-usable sanitary towels for girls participating in the Goal project and Skillz league was conducted by Huru international and staff from local standard chartered bank. The bank’s staff and girls engaged into one-on-one mentorship talks with girls opening up and discussing freely on their life challenges and experiences.Additional lessons covered included financial topics: savings, budgeting and banking amongst others. Participating girls were handed sanitary pads, bar soaps and under wears courtesy of Huru international.