By Catherine kaimenyi | Project Leader
Jan 26, 2016
Dear Global Giving Friends,
As the year 2015 came to a close, we looked back with gratitude as we counted the many direct and indirect beneficiaries of our project. We will celebrate graduation from university of two of the first group girls at the end of this year. Many others have been impacted positively by the two. Besides, other beneficiaries have joined the informal sector and doing well, some as employees while others are doing their own businesses.
One of such girls is Glory who came to SAWA in December, 2012 after completing her high school education. During her two months mentorship and training period, she was prepared to face the world as an adult now that she was out of school and do activities that would make economic sense to her. As she completed her two months experience she had this to say “This training has changed my perspective in life, I only thought of employment as a career, but with the skills I have acquired, I can identify a business idea, write a plan and implement it efficiently. I am confident that no matter how my KSCE results will be, I will not be stranded in life, thanks to SAWA.”
Three years later, I visited Glory in December 2015 to find out what she was doing. I found her in a Hair Salon/Beauty Palour where she works in a nearby town. She was quick to tell me that although she was employed, she wanted to raise capital and start her own beauty shop where she can train other disadvantaged girls who do not make it to go to the university. She is still thankful to have been part of SAWA to learn that one can do any kind of a job to earn a living. SAWA built her confidence to handle what she is doing.
Glory and another mentee, Caroline live in the same town and attend the same church where they hold leadership positions in their youth group. They have become strong leaders and mentors to the other youths who look upon them for guidance. The mere fact that the two travelled all the way to Nairobi for a mentorship program has given them recognition by the youth, besides the guidance that they provide. They hold social activities at the church where they meet to discuss challenges facing young people and encouraging each other to avoid unplanned pregnancies and early marriages. When schools are closed and many youths are at home, the group invites motivation speakers, who coach and mentor them as they focus them in organized social lives, education and careers.
With my sincere gratitude for your support in this effort to improve the opportunities for young girls,
Catherine Kaimenyi
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