Protect Girls and Prevent Gender Based Violence

Thank you for your support of this project supporting programmes to protect girls from gender based violence. We are delighted to bring you an update from Richard Kirui, our Community Health Education Co-ordinator. Richard shares his thoughts on the need for this project to support youth, girls and women.  

Richard says - “I believe that the rising cases of youth unemployment in Kericho County has caused many youths to indulge in negative behaviours which are harmful to themselves and others. Parents find it challenging to talk about difficult topics like sexuality, reproductive health, drugs, alcohol and addiction. Traditionally, this has been left to teachers and church leaders as parents have not felt equipped for such discussions. Wider community support could provide youth with the skills necessary to build their self-confidence and advocate for their rights and that would become the missing link in creating positive behaviour and promoting confidence and self-esteem". 

"To address these challenges, Brighter Communities Worldwide has taken the lead, working in partnership with the Government of Kenya to deliver programmes that enrich young people's lives and create better futures. The organisation strongly believes that empowering the community through education gives people the means to face real issues arising around them and the skills to deliver solutions. Educating children at an early age and women and men as adults through Life Skills and Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights programmes,  provides knowledge and skills leading to open minds and opportunity". 

Stories of impact; 

Amos shares; “I thank Brighter Communities Worldwide for giving me the chance to attend five day life skills course that has enabled me to learn topics on HIV, Sexuality, and Drugs abuse among others. The training has opened my eyes to the many ways of dealing with gender based violence which has risen up in the community because of the lack of information. I was once involved with drugs which resulted from peer group influence but I never knew the impact. Now having learned the consequences I will use the opportunity to sensitise my fellow youths and community members on the effects of drugs and other issues which could result in teenage pregnancies.”

Lily shares; “I’m Lily from Kapsoit, a teacher by profession, having benefited a lot from Brighter Communities Worldwide courses which have improved my CV and dignity. I deliver Alternative Rite of Passage training (ARP) in my community and Life skills and anywhere I am given the chance to inspire people to get the right information. Youths build their future when they are fully trained with good communication skills which creates strong relationships to cope with bad company caused by peer pressure.Thanks a lot BCW for trusting me to facilitate this wonderful training that impacts all the people in the community. Supporting one course with fifty participants multiples to another fifty and more."

Charles shares; "I’m Charles working with the Ministry of Health Public Health Office Kamasian Ward. Brighter Communities Worldwide Programmes have made our work easier in providing knowledge and skills in matters of health which later contribute to increased household levels of income due to good health. This in turn promotes economic growth, because if the people are healthy they get the chance to work in different sectors.The programmes also focus on the rising cases of drugs, alcoholism and suicide happening for the groups, I believe that when people are given the right information change becomes inevitable as having the right information is power"

These positive impacts and inspiring stories wouldn't be possible without your support. To see more stories on this, click the link below to read a powerful blog by Richard on ending FGM. From all of us at Brighter Communities Worldwide and from communities across Kericho County, thank you for helping us build brighter futures!

Links:

• Richards blog on ending FGM and his work

Thank you for your generous donation and subscribing to updates for our Gender-Based Violence project. Below, you can read a report from Richard C. Kirui, our Community Health Education Coordinator, highlighting the impact your contribution is making.

"Brighter Communities Worldwide provides impactful community and school education programmes for women, men, girls and boys that work towards ending Gender Based Violence. The programmes include, Lifeskills, Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights(SRHR) and the Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP)

These programmes offer valuable support and guidance to help communities understand and recognise Gender Based Violence (GBV) and the power imbalances that lead to GBV. We empower communities to challenge and reject the deeply ingrained gender inequalities within society. By promoting awareness and support, these programmes help protect women and girls and youth from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse and exploitation.

Hellen is from a village where we work and is happy to share her story about how Brighter Communities Worldwide Lifeskills programme transformed her life. Hellen says “ Having graduated from the course I became passionate of advocating for equal rights for women and youths who are beaten always by men guided by negative traditions. This has led to girls dropping out of school employed as maids, exposed to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), causing early marriages which in turn affect their future health and increase poverty”

Samwel from another village works as the community village manager. Samwel says “I thank Brighter Communities Worldwide so much for supporting a wonderful Lifeskills 5 day training with all Kipsirichet Location village managers and Community Health Workers (CHPs). Having graduated from this training I will ensure safeguarding of all women and girls, talk openly on HIV/Aids, tackling adolescent challenges which was taboo for us men to talk out openly. I commit to sensitise my community using the skills, welcome again brighter communities worldwide.”

Amos is a teacher by profession and he says “I thank Brighter Communities Worldwide for enabling me to gain my brighter future life through bursary scheme support that made me sail through the secondary Education. I came from a humble background and if I wasn’t supported, I don’t know how my life could have been with youth peer pressure and culture. Being trained as Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) and SRHR facilitator, I’m determined to campaign for womens’ empowerment, join motivational youths training of creating awareness on challenging school continuity for both boys and girls. And utilising the time passing my experience with value of re-usable sanitary pads which save a girl from exploitation.”

Ruth is a senior Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) facilitator as well as Head teacher in a primary school, she is apart of Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT). Ruth says “I attend various community meetings sensitising the essence of fighting cases of defilement, drugs abuse, new HIV infections and prevention which need combined efforts from all the actors. Given more support I will use my spare time to empower youths and women in Kericho county to make Zero tolerance to GBV!”

I sincerely thank all the supporters who have contributed their donations that has contributed to happy and healthy lives for our volunteers and the communities we work with. We aim to reach more if we get more support in campaining and raising awareness, involving men, women, boys and girls in reducing gender based violence."

Asante Sana for your kind support.

Mark your calendars!   All donations up to €50 will be matched at 50% between March 25th and 28th during the GlobalGiving Little by Little campaign.