Enhance (mental) health of 2,084 Kenyan youths

Challenge

MANY YOUTHS IN TRANS NZOIA COUNTY HAVE LOW SELF-ESTEEM, LACK OF HOPE AND INABILITY TO CHOOSE HEALTHY BEHAVIOURS, resulting in depression, suicides, school fires & participation in (political) violence. Also in serious sexuality problems (Early sex debut, high HIV risky behaviors, STIs, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, etc.), much alcohol & substance abuse, school drop-out. There are few if any structured initiatives addressing this mental health problem. 75% of Kenyans are below age 35.

Solution

KAP provides community-based training of 'Unreached Youths' Community Resource Persons and professional counselling and (psycho-) education services. Youths are helped in building self-awareness & identity, to work through their traumatic experiences whilst learning about relationships with peers, parents and society, sexual health, abuse/addiction, trauma & non-violent problem solving skills. Consequently they also learn to share their new knowledge and skills with their friends and neighbors.

Long-Term Impact

KAP will improve 1. The emotional capacity & social behaviors of 2,084 youths (of whom 602 intensively), including their: (A) improved self-esteem, hope & purpose in life, (B) enhanced socio-economic resilience & self-reliance, (C) improved health services seeking behavior & reduced (HIV/AIDS, abuse/addiction) risk behaviors, (D) increased use of non-violent conflict solving means; 2. structures & systems of response: e.g. increased access to relevant mental, social & economic support services

Resources

• KAP Website (currently under review)