Protection Services for 100 Rural Kenyan Children

Week Two of Nafasi program was powerful, interactive, and deeply transformative for the children. We began the week with a recap of the previous topics, ensuring the children carried forward the key lessons from Week One. Our group counseling focus early in the week was on understanding stress and trauma; what stress is, its sources, and how it affects emotional and academic wellbeing. Children openly shared their experiences, and every afternoon, we conducted individual counseling sessions while others engaged in games, giving each child a safe space for one-on-one support.

Mid-week, the children explored the topic of peer pressure. They reflected on their role models, identified personal values, and discussed real examples of positive and negative peer pressure within school, home, and friendships. This session strengthened their confidence, decision-making, and understanding of the importance of choosing values over approval.

We then shifted to conflict resolution, a topic the children engaged in enthusiastically. They defined conflict in their own words and learned practical skills like active listening, empathy, emotional intelligence, negotiation, and problem-solving. Through group activities such as analyzing a “conflict tree,” they explored the root causes and effects of conflicts. The following day, they continued with approaches to resolving conflict, the benefits of peace-building, understanding the conflict cycle, and the role of effective communication. We closed the week with an introduction to goal-setting, encouraging each child to write short-term and long-term goals as a step toward personal growth.

The final day was a joyful celebration. We wrapped up the week with sports activities; football, volleyball, relays and ended with a ceremony where both the children and volunteers received certificates of participation and appreciation. It was a meaningful and uplifting close to a week of learning and empowerment.

Week One of the Nafasi Holiday Program was a vibrant and engaging start, filled with learning, creativity, and emotional support. Each day began with a recap session to reinforce previous lessons and strengthen continuity in learning. We opened the week with introductions not only among the children but also with the Mirai team, volunteers, and counsellors helping everyone feel welcome and connected.

The children then set their own ground rules through a creative drawing activity, making the rules memorable and enjoyable. They also elected their weekly leaders, giving them a sense of responsibility and ownership. Group counseling followed, with children divided into two groups (11–12 years and 13–15 years). The first major topic explored was understanding and managing relationships, where they drew their personal “circle of relationships” and learned about empathy, respect, and healthy interactions.

Midweek, the children were introduced to the Listening Circle, including the SOLAR acronym, which helps improve effective listening and communication. They also learned about assertiveness and setting boundaries, especially in managing relationships with the opposite sex and differentiating between healthy and harmful relationships.

As the week progressed, the focus shifted to assertiveness as a core life skill. Children identified challenges that hinder their academic journeys such as early pregnancy, early marriage, and poverty and explored how creating safe spaces can help them navigate life positively. They learned practical ways of building self-confidence, appreciating others, and promoting positive behavior. Through group discussions, they reflected on moments at home, school, or in their community where they were not given a chance to express themselves, and what assertiveness could have changed in those situations. The benefits of assertiveness; academic success, improved relationships, and increased self-confidence were emphasized.

Every afternoon, while children enjoyed games and recreation, individual counseling sessions took place, ensuring personalized emotional support.

Week One ended with a strong foundation of trust, learning, self-awareness, and empowerment, preparing the children for a meaningful second week.