Improving lives of 1000 girls in Nairobi's slums

"First and foremost,i want to express my utmost THANK YOU note to each and everyone of you for going out of your way by donating to this worthy cause.Your generous contribution towards this project has seen alot of lives of young people being transformed day in,day out.Indeed,through football,we have witnessed a great number of youth coming from various underpriviledged backgrounds in the slums of Nairobi both in schools and community centres participating actively in lifeskills programs.Through succesful graduations from football based social programs,they have been integrated into various vocational training courses of their own choices ranging from;pastry,catering,hair and beauty,interior design,IT,tailoring, etc hence transforming them to become economically independent.

It's with this regard that Vijana Amani Pamoja (VAP) is joining Global Giving to celebrate youth week starting this 6th-12th August 2018.To make it more colourful,Gobal Giving is matching all new donations set up before the end of this week (12th) by 100%.Your donation as always will continue to change the lives of these girls  and the youth in general.Once again,THANK YOU SO MUCH for your continous support as we change the lives together." Said Nancy,Manager

Testimonies

"Here at VAP we do not have limited time,we have a whole day and safe space where we can ask questions and discuss." Said 16 year old Christine.
"Here everyone has a chance to express herself.Everyone is encourage to try and give opinion.We are given the chance to interact and encourage each other."Said 16 years old Mwikali.

The last cohort of 2018 graduates of all vocational training courses converged at the Jericho social hall for the 3nd annual Mrembo Economic Empowerment Trade fair (MEET), ready with their acquired skills and equipment to showcase to the invited audience. MEET presents an opportunity for vocational training participants to display the combination of football based activities integrated with economic empowerment while showcasing to the general public, invited local existing and potential employers from different sectors including restaurants, hotels and salon. Based on their respective skills, some of the graduates instantly landed internship and job placements opportunities from the invited employers with some to be placed in other institutions later and others opting to start their own businesses.

                             MESSAGE FROM NJAMBI

Withthe event being covered by Kenya's leading broadcasting television,here is what was captured from one of the girls "Thanks for the opportunity and the support that i got through football and the vocational training course.I now work at Ghanian Hotel and I can confidently support my mother and my son. Said Njambi

                   PLEASE SUPPORT US ON GLOBAL GIVING REWARD BONUS DAY!

GlobalGiving is one week away from this year's GGRewards Bonus day.The starting time is 9:00:01 EDT on july 18th.As a super star project on GlobalGiving,our project stands an opportunity to receive the highest matching percent on this bonus day.We thererfore have until july 17th to lock in that 50% match,and we can ONLY achieve that through your donation on the 18th July.So please help us donating on 18th and even sharing the word with your friends.

The on-going Mrembo programme that focuses on girls and young women has had an additional Goal module 5 that is geared towards scaling up Employment and Entrepreneurship project within VAP. The module has 12-sessions which build on Module 4 “Be Money Savvy” and basic financial literacy by introducing adolescent girls and young women to themes, topics and skills related to entrepreneurship and employability. The objective of the module is to introduce participants to entrepreneurship and employability skills and topics that will serve as a foundation for their continued economic empowerment. The target audience is adolescent girls and young women between the ages of 14 – 25 years who have had basic financial literacy and life skill training, either through Mrembo, Goal or another programme.

Vital Conversations in a Safe Space

The second batch of the Employment and Entrepreneurship participants sharing their personal experiences and beliefs on sensitive issues related to sexual reproductive health and rights. The participants who are taking various vocational training courses through the employment and entrepreneurship project are expected to graduate from their respective courses in the next couple of weeks.” The sessions are very open and interactive as critical issues are being discussed. As a girl i now know my rights and am ready to share the information with my peers.” Said Mueni, who is pursuing tailoring course.

Hands At Work

After finishing her hair and beauty course, 18 year old Mbogo managed to secure employment at Corner hair and beauty salon in Kitengela.Sheila who is the first born of 5 sibling family from Mukuru slum has just joined VAP Achievers club (participants who have graduated through football based social and economic programs) “The life skills that I got from the trainings enabled me to make my own healthy lifestyle decisions that made me to pursue my career. Am happy to have secured a job that will help me assist my younger brothers and sisters.” Said Mbogo.

Climax of Wasichana Wacheze Football League

With the 4^th edition of Wasichana Wacheze ‘Girls play’ football league approaching its tail end, there has been lots of newly introduced football based life skills discussions surrounding reproductive health and rights tailored made for adolescent girls. The league that’s currently attracting 28 teams comprised of girls and young women is played across 4 different fields. The new  life skills sessions are conducted by Mrembo coaches during half time intervals as well as before and after football matches. Wasichana Wacheze league is also a breeding ground for the integration of girls and young women into vocational training courses for the employment and entrepreneurship project

It has been a great rollercoaster  ride for 19 years old Mary who has just joined the ‘VAP Achievers’ club after having undergone all VAP’s programs right from the foundations of VAP’s programs, football based life skills and into Employment and Entrepreneurship program where she focused on a catering course and eventually graduated and finally got a job placement with PrideInn Hotel based in westlands part of Nairobi. The PrideInn hotels consist of 3 brands namely: PrideInn Express, PrideInn Business and PrideInn Plus. “Am happy that football is a life changing tool for both on and off the field.” Said Mary who also featured in the last ‘Wasichana Wacheze’ football league 3rd edition in 2017

Business,Marketing and Research Training

As they are gearing up to make an exit of their vocational training course, the first cohort of the 2018 were engaged into a 10 days intensive business training and research of their respective courses. Led by experienced business training professionals, the participants were taken through various topics surrounding business set up, savings, budgeting, customer relationship tips, book keeping, and how to access small loans etc. Participants were also trained on job search and job retention skills.At the end of the training,each participant would be expected to draft and present a business plan to a panel of judges comprised of different professionals who would go through the proposals and award the best plans with some capital funds to start  up their respective businesses.

Young Leaders Workshop

Coming from different community chapters and schools yearning for leadership skills,52  students gathered at VAP offices for a one day leadership workshop that also marked the preparation of the 2018 Wasichana Wacheze (Let girls play) football league. Despite the leadership and goal setting topics that were covered, the football league will ran under the theme of “Pressing for progress to empower girls through football to achieve effective future goals.” As usual the league will provide a safe space for girls to learn on issues surrounding a girl child facilitated by Mrembo Coaches.

Celebrating International Women's Day With SCB Staff

In celebration of International Women's Day, our girls and young women in Employability and Entreprenurship got a chance to interact with Standard Chartered Bank staff for some fun and mentorship sessions.The participants who are currently engaged in different vocational training courses were excited to get the opportunity of meeting bank's staff who also taught them on various financial literacy including,budgeting,savings,opening of bank accounts etc."Am so excited to visit the bank for the first time and learn on financial literacy topics from the bankers.Once i finish my course,i will try look for a job and then save some money to open my own business."Said 16 years old Akinyi.