Improving lives of 1000 girls in Nairobi's slums

With the New Year still on its baby steps, a group of new young mothers who graduated at the tail end of last year under the belt of ‘Secure Futures’ program were  enrolled into vocational training courses for Employment + Entrepreneurship opportunities. In attendance to provide quality guidance, clear pathways and information to the participants were professionals and tutors from the local partnering institutions, successful businessmen and women including representatives of different financial institutions that offer small loans to business oriented people. Participants enrolled in a variety of courses that included: cookery, pastry, braiding, fashion and design amongst others. “Am eager to learn and finish my pastry course and thereafter look for a small loan to open my business of preparing pastries. This way I will be able to support myself and my family of two kids.” Said 21 years old Aisha.

 A visit From Kenya Community Development Foundation

As part of their grassroot commitment to community development and capacity building of its partners, Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) paid a courtesy call to VAP’s offices. Accompanied with representatives from I&M bank foundation, the key purpose of the meeting was to learn, share knowledge, challenges and successes of the ongoing projects especially with the covid-19 fog. The meeting wrapped up with a ground visit to the participants’ areas of operations.KCDF supports communities to initiate and drive their development agenda by harnessing and growing their resources as well as securing their basic rights and services from duty bearers. It works with poor, marginalized and disadvantaged communities as its primary target group and looks to provide them support in uplifting themselves from their situation through their own efforts.

                       Gender Support

In support of their counter parts,15 male under ‘Heshima Program’, a program that brings together (boyfriends/husbands) of the ‘Secure Futures’ young mothers participants with an intention of addressing positive masculinity, parental support and leadership, attended a 3 days training program organized by VAP and other like-minded organizations. Amongst topics addressed were: social construction of masculinities and feminities, introduction to Heshima curriculum, sexual and gender based violence, cycle of violence, inequalities and violence, relationship to violence, prevention and response and strategy selection. Heshima program has been of great support towards positive impact of secure future program and its activities. “Am happy to be part of this program that has taught me on how to be supportive to my wife in a positive way. If something wrong happens between us, we always have a discussion around it and solve it without any kind of violence. I will use my skills to teach and encourage other young fathers to always be supportive to their wives and avoid gender based violence.” Said 21 years old  Aluda ,a young father of one kid.

                       Rebuilding Again

Three days business training for the covid-19 affected business participants under the ‘Ustawi’ initiative was organized by VAP and its partners. The training brought together young women, mostly young mothers who had graduated from various vocational training courses and started their own business but eventually got affected by the out-break of covid-19 and its restrictions. One after another, participants narrated how their respective businesses were affected and their ideas on how to bounce back. The trainings provided participants with a platform to network share and learn from each other as they also gained skills and knowledge on how to start and manage their livelihood activities. Participants were also guided on how to successfully develop their business plans as well as receiving psychosocial support.

                        Community StakeHolders Forum

As an organization that listens to its community and values its successes on its model which is community led from ‘Bottom to Top’ approach, a stakeholders meeting was held in the month of January. The one day meeting brought together program participants, parents, guardians, community coaches, community members. Like-minded organizations and government representatives as well as children office departments to talk about community challenges and successes. The meeting created a platform and a safe space for attendees to share, network and learn from each other as VAP collected views and opinions that would help reshape and redesign its programs.