Transform the Lives of Up to 600 Orphaned Girls

We are delighted that GlobalGiving's expertise is giving our project partners new tools and building new skills. Below you will find the quarterly report written by Florence, who manages the project on behalf of our in-country partners, Women Without Borders, Kenya. 

One of our long term dreams had been to help faclitate such skills and build networks between our partners. Florence, when attending Niarobi for a conference, found time to visit with other partners, Sunflower (Kenya) and learn about their Pass the Mic! to Kibera Girls, Literacy, Arts and Technology program. The meeting was so fruitful that Florence reports that her group in Bumgowa County are planning a Literacy program for next year, and are starting by using GlobalGiving's SWOTA. 

Report from Mama Florence

THIS QUARTER WOMEN WITHOUT BORDERS –KENYA

The board, caregivers, teachers, children and staff take this opportunity to thank all the donors who made this happen to our children - [the] 100 girls who are being supported by women without Borders Kenya are in school and we want to let you know that your donations has improved the status of the children, the school and the community. Before we landed there this school was like a dying horse. It had never performed just even at the zonal level. Today everybody is celebrating because from nothing the performance at zone level was in position 4. During last year Kenya primary certificate of education the first child got 377 out of 500.The previous 6 years the school was scoring at 250 and below. The school enrolment rate went up because of the performance. Even progress reports of our children indicated good performance. We have initiated a literacy program, where we assist our girls to improve science subjects, maths, English and Kiswahili. However the infrastructure remains a challenge part of the school was almost collapsing, no enough desks, no text books, no pit latrines, water and teachers understaffed. That is why the board require some money for tuition to enable them hire part time staff to assist the children. The classrooms had jiggers which we have treated .The government joined hands in supporting the school, they have provided laptops for children and the school has now land title deed which is not easy to many schools. At least if you want to develop the school, you know this is a community school. We are looking at enrolment, retention, performance and completion. Using the SWOT ANALYSIS TOOL. We have to look at our Strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. We are going to use this tool to improve the status of our organisation.

During this month of March most us have been running here and there advocating for the rights of women because 8^th was International day for women. Many issues came up leaders like talking while planning but at the end of the day nothing happens. People celebrate. They eat well while others are not. Our organisation talked about taking girls to school. We wanted to know by next year how many girls will be in school through our project alone? How many girls would have completed their vocational training and they are able to set up their own business and how many girls would have joined secondary schools and they are comfortable in the class.

We believe that when girls are supported in their own growth, the entire communities benefit. Educated girls become empowered women. Educated women grow economies, lead communities and close the gender gap.

Thank You from Ivyne

Ivyne is one of the students who achieved a good mark in her final primary school exam. Her reference to a national school means that she has been accepted into a good, state run high school, but help is still needed for fees. 

Hi! My name is Ivyne.I come from Keasler children's home.I lost both parents.Most of my time I have stayed in the children's home.I learnt in Makutano primary school and last year I joined Equal Chances academy where I sat for my KCPE Kenya Certificate of Primary Education and passed with 362 marks out of 500. lucky enough I was to join a national school. But I lack school fees.Not me alone but other children in the orphanage who are in high schools can not go to schools. We need support.

Links:

• Sunflower Foundation Website
• Education in Kenya

• Fee Guidelines to Secondary Schools in Kenya (PDF)