Protect and Empower Rural Kenyan Girls

You, who have generously supported Kenya Keys’ girl empowerment projects, are no strangers to the enormous challenges faced by girls in Kenya. And you’ve probably heard about the widespread drought and famine in eastern Africa. Famines are hard on everyone, but they too often have particularly devastating consequences for girls. 

The desperation of their circumstances often drives fathers to sell their daughters into early marriage to purchase much-needed food for their families. Girls with no access to assistance, may feel that prostitution is the only way to provide food for themselves. And even the lucky girls who escape these challenges still find it even more difficult than usual to stay in school because lack of food and water places an added burden on girls to complete household tasks.

Over the last several months, we have learned of a considerable increase in the number of girls in primary school (yes, as young as that) sold into marriage or becoming pregnant. Fortunately, the girls in Kenya don’t have to face these challenges alone. 

Thanks to your generous support, our Kenya Keys team is well-equipped to provide needed resources to help the girls overcome their challenges. A team of interns from the U.S., led by Directors Rinda and Brent Hayes, just arrived in Kenya. They will be meeting with our Usalama (safety) team and with the SOS (Save Our Sisters) girls group leaders to assess girls needs, schedule girl empowerment conferences and mentoring events, distribute sanitary kits to the girls, and identify additional female role models who can help girls stay in school and realize their potential.

Significantly, two of the original founders of the SOS group, who are currently attending college through Kenya Keys’ sponsorships, are coming back to the village to inspire the girls and reignite their passion for education and girls programs. Caroline and Lydia are eager to work with girls to help them find solutions to the problems they face. Who better than these bright and capable women who are clear examples of what girls are capable of, to mentor the village girls to raise their sights and pursue their dreams? 

With the funding you have provided, the vision of strong female role models who understand the challenges girls face, and their own determination to create a bright future, our girls have everything they need to overcome their challenges and change the world around them. 

Links:

• Watch Lydia and Caroline ignite girls enthusiasm and confidence