Support girls' education and end FGM in Kenya

Thank you so much for your support of our work in rural Kenya. This summer, we have been reflecting on the reasons we believe our holistic education is so crucial. Children are directly and indirectly affected by the decisions made on local, national, and global scales. Too often, they are left out of the conversations about their lives and wellbeing, even though they have a right to participate.

In 1989, the UN General Assembly passed the resolution for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This Convention, as well as the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959, protect a child’s right to grow up in a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment. The Convention also describes children’s right to their own opinions, to be listened to and respected by adults, and to be involved in matters affecting them.

At Kakenya’s Dream, we have seen that educating youth on their rights has empowered them to join the conversation in our community and to become their own advocates.

We center our curriculum around the needs of youth, specifically girls who are most marginalized. Oftentimes, before girls enroll at Kakenya's Center for Excellence (KCE), they are unaware of the issues that violate their rights. Typically they do not have a full understanding on their rights as a whole. So we start from the beginning with our girls. 

At KCE, we reflect on the individual needs of each girl. Through a holistic and girl-centered approach, we meet those needs. Both inside and outside of the classroom, we teach our girls about their rights, health, safety, and culture. As they develop greater awareness in these areas, we empower them to be advocates for their rights and the rights of others. We also recognize that community and family is essential for the growth and development of a child, so we invite parents and community leaders to join their daughters in this journey. Their involvement and support is essential for lasting change.

At Kakenya’s Dream, children are at the center of everything. We listen to them, believe in their potential, and we empower them to achieve their dreams. To learn more about Kakenya's Center for Excellence, visit our website.

Again, thank you for supporting our girls' rights to education and engagement. We couldn't do it without you!