Kenya Connect

Volunteers enrich our work and we enrich volunteers' lives. Hofstra University Nursing Student Victoria Bowman shared in a recent article, "“My participation with Kenya Connect was a life-changing and eye-opening experience. Traveling is known to inspire and challenge, in a way like nursing. They both encourage embracing new adventures and engaging with new people. All of the experiences and lessons I learned on my trip I will take with me through the rest of my clinicals and most importantly, through life." Read the entire article here: https://lnkd.in/epqMYHpF

In Kenya there is a renewed focus on the importance of early childhood education. Tune in to our latest podcast on "Voices from Village!" It's an exciting discussion about our work with pre-primary teachers in partnership with Wolf Trap Education Center! Hear from Teacher Eunice and Teaching artists Christina Farrell and Luisa Aviles about their work to engage young learners. https://lnkd.in/g_bSC6B2 #artsintegration #music #dance #earlychildhoodeducation Rebecca Akinyi Migwambo James Musyoka

Kenya Connect has been partnering with Southeastern Kenya University and Rotary International on a Secondary School Teacher Professional Development program that introduced the QFT (Question Formulation Technique). The SEKU faculty recently published their findings. https://lnkd.in/ezXhQ8ra James Musyoka Rebecca Akinyi Migwambo

The power of messaging. Following the Girl/Boy Empowerment Parent Mobilization Meeting last week, our advocacy messages have been posted at partner schools and public buildings. All parents received each of the posters to share in their community. We're working to keep children safe by providing accurate information, confidence building and communication skills. Mothers' Day Movement Circle of Sisterhood Foundation, Inc. GlobalGiving HundrEDorg Faith Doucette Harvey Wilson

Inspired, engaged, excited and grateful! Thank you Wolf Trap Teaching Artists Christina and Luisa for an amazing two week residency with our Pre-primary teachers. You brought the world of music and movement to promote literacy and numeracy for our youngest learners. From Teacher Workshops, Parent meetings, and a Stakeholder session, you brought the joy of learning to everyone, especially our preprimary students! A deep thanks to the Gupta Family Foundation for supporting this program! #artsintegration #teachingartists #learningisfun GlobalGiving

Today 400 parents joined us for our inaugural parent mobilization for the Girl/Boy Empowerment Program to reduce teen pregnancy and gender-based violence. Each parent received advocacy posters while also learning about consent, boundaries, respect, communication, the importance of play, sexual reproduction and where to get help. We are grateful to the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation, Inc. and the Mothers' Day Movement for believing in our work and supporting us! Faith Doucette

3D Printer excitement thanks to an awesome Team4Tech MicroProject with Cadence Design Systems volunteer Liliko Uchida who helped create a curriculum for us. Read the blog byTech Assistant Maureen Gichoi about the project. https://lnkd.in/ezFxMgzN Ririko ("Liliko") Uchida Patrick Munguti Nyagaki Gichia

Phase 3 of the Girl/Boy Empowerment Program has launched: Advocacy Posters! Along with raising awareness on Teen Pregnancy and Gender-based violence through the Parents’ Program, Kenya Connect has launched an advocacy component with colorful and direct posters that have been distributed to schools and clinics and will be posted in Matatus, public transport. The intended outcome is for the community at large to take note about topics including the importance of talking with their children including topics about sex and gender-based violence, where to get help, and that perpetrators will be held accountable. These posters, designed with input from community leaders, stakeholders, teachers, and parents, are designed to create dialogue on these sensitive topics. Later in the year, a podcast in Kenya Connect’s, “Voices from our Village” series will be devoted to the Girl/Boy Empowerment initiative. Faith Doucette, who co-created and oversees the program shared, “Two and half years into the Girl/ Boy Empowerment Program, we have witnessed tremendous outcomes and a significant impact on the community. What started as a program to reduce teen pregnancies and break the cycle of gender-based violence has grown into a program that now has a parent component where we are bridging the gaps in parent/child communication, ways of fostering parent/child relationships, ways of expressing affection and age-appropriate sexual health information. It is remarkable when students from the two previous cohorts approach us to ask if they can be involved in peer-to-peer mentorship. We've had instances where those students have sat in some ongoing sessions because they want to stay engaged with the program. I am also excited that Phase 3 is being launched! Circle of Sisterhood Foundation, Inc. Mothers' Day Movement Faith Doucette

We're celebrating #MenstrualHygieneDay with the distribution of locally made Wings Poa kits to girls at Makaalu Secondary School. However, it's not just about distributing kits.... we are also providing accurate menstrual health and hygiene information while providing a safe space for girls to ask questions! We are grateful to Kwanda for providing a grant this month to distribute 480 kits at 7 schools. If you want to hear more about this program, listen to our latest podcast! https://lnkd.in/ee-7aUXp #menstrualhealth #periodpoverty #menstruation Faith Doucette James Musyoka Sharon Runge Mothers' Day Movement Circle of Sisterhood Foundation, Inc.