Protection Services for 100 Rural Kenyan Children

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.