Wasichana Juu is Swahili, meaning Girls Up. A female only program focusing on adolescent girls aged 9-19, living within the slums of Nairobi. We offer young women a safe, non-judgemental forum to learn and discuss health, safety and leadership using football to deliver positive lifestyle choices. Our goal is to build a community of vibrant, confident women who are able to set goals, make educated decisions and become responsible, accountable adults therefore breaking their cycle of poverty.
Adolescence is a challenging period for young women throughout the world, the difficulties faced by girls in developing countries are often magnified due to limited access to education, unstable social and economical environments, limited sanitation and healthcare and gender-based violence. Living every day in such circumstances can lead young women to engage in behaviors that can compromise their health, safety and can often lead to early marriage, unplanned pregnancy and abandoned education.
Wasichana Juu is based on the Coaches Across Continents model of development through sport. This unique forum provides an opportunity for girls to participate in a guided open dialogue of health (physical, sexual, psychological), safety (personal, environmental) and leadership (effective leaders, inclusivity, public speaking) while engaging them in physical activity. Studies show that exercise in children helps them focus better, retain more information, improve sleep and build self confidence.
Social and personal development is about improving the well-being of every individual enabling them to reach their full potential. Barriers need to be removed so that all women can journey toward self sufficiency with confidence and dignity. It is about refusing to accept that people who live in poverty will always be poor. Everyone deserves the opportunity to develop their skill and contribute to their families and communities. If women do well, then society as a whole will benefit.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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