Girls' Initiative Webpage Updated!
June 15, 2012 10:27am
Filed under:
Sabina Tumeki, Ann Nailantei, and Joyce Kakenya at their school
Since the last workshops, the girls have been busy with their schooling. The Kenyan girls completed their first term in April, had a short break for the Easter holidays, and began their second term on May 7. Despite rampant floods in Kenya, rendering many roads impassable, all the girls made it safely back to school. They have also successfully registered for the national exam, which is held nationwide on November 5, 2012. The girls need to pass the exam to go on to study for a university degree, so they will be hitting their school books hard the rest of the year.
Unfortunately, there was a fire at one of the schools last month—Moi Girls Isinya—that destroyed an entire dormitory. One theory is the fire was caused by a fault that was struck by lightning. Thankfully, the fire took place when the girls were in class so none were harmed, but it destroyed all the belongings of many girls, including one of the program participants, Hellen Naipanoi. About 350 girls at the school lost most or all of their belongings. The program has since replaced Hellen's bedding, clothes, and books, but the school is looking to raise funds to rebuild the dormitory.
The Tanzanian girls are on a short break before they begin their second term. The girls did well in school during the first term, but unfortunately one girl, Peninah Yolamu, already an orphan, lost her grandmother and is struggling with the loss.
The girls continually face challenges (including illness), but receive great support from the program coordinator, Daniel Salau, and other mentors. To support the girls' school fees and leadership development, click here.
Program coordinator Salau is also seeking to study again; Daniel recently applied and was accepted into a master's degree program in climate change in Kenya. We are very excited for him.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Salau
