Programs taking place here at FAWEK:
Tuseme model
Tuseme is a Swahili word that means ‘Let Us Speak Out’. Tuseme is an empowerment model based on theater for development techniques. Theatre is used to communicate and initiate discussion on issues affecting girls.
What this program has achieved
- Increased girls’ participation in school
- Increased confidence, assertiveness and self- esteem of girls involved in the program
- Improved leadership and decision making skills among girls
- Change of attitudes among students, teachers and community members on gender relations
- Improvement in academic performance of girls
- Creation of a platform for girls to actively participate in social change
Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program
In dedication to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, FAWE Kenya organized STEM competitions in ten schools in Nairobi County. Interschool competitions were held on 12th July, 2017 and the best two projects from each school were nominated for the national competitions that were held on 19th July, 2017 at Alliance Girls High School. The winners of the national competitions will proceed to Africa Regional competitions in Lusaka-Zambia in August 2017 sponsored by FAWE Regional Secretariat.
The national STEM competitions took place on 19th July, 2017 at Alliance Girls High School as scheduled. Seven schools participated in the competitions each presenting two projects. A sum of fourteen projects was presented. The projects centered on ideas and innovations from chosen STEM subjects powered by students with guidance from their teachers. The competition was important in shaping the mentality and perception of girls in STEM subjects and careers.
Ruthimitu Girls emerged outstanding winners of the STEM competition with their two projects rated the first and the fourth positions. On the other hand, Alliance Girls were rated at the second position with their projects at the second and fifth positions. The two schools produced the best projects which are proceeding to Lusaka Zambia for the regional competition in August.
The presentations were up to standard and the projects met the objective of the competition. As it is observed from the results, all the projects scored 50% and above, an indication that the girls worked an extra mile with necessary help from their teachers. However, some of the projects presented good ideas but needed more content than it was presented. Students were advised to build on them for further progress. With such projects in place, gender equality in education is an ever growing reality in sub-Sahara Africa.
What this program has achieved
- Increased confidence in tackling SMT subjects among girls in the project schools
- Increased participation in science competitions and symposiums among girls
- Increased interest among girls in SMT leading to improved performance in SMT courses
- Increased capacity of teachers in utilising gender sensitive pedagogical approaches in SMT whilst demonstrating greater creativity in using locally available teaching and learning materials.
Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights
This programme is funded by the Packard Foundation. It was initiated in 2010 through a survey that was conducted to inform programming. The Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right Project was Implemented in 40 schools and surrounding communities in western and Nyanza. The project has reached over 68,000 beneficiaries including students, teachers and the community by and enabling their access to age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health information and services. Due to the positive impact realized through the program, it has been scaled up and it’s currently covering 40 schools and surrounding communities (2013-2016). From 2017, the project is focusing on communication and national advocacy on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right Policy and integration into the School Curriculum. It also covered bursaries for the needy, provision of sanitary towels to girls, mentorship, guidance and counseling and teenage mother readmission. The outcome is to eradicate child pregnancies, complications arising from unsafe abortions and child birth, Tackle Female Genital Mutilation, sexual violence against girls, including rape, defilement and sexual harassment, besides enhancing knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other STDs.
Women Entrepreneurship programs
A financial training to improve handling of finances and financial practices as a platform to initiate other models such as table banking. FAWE Kenya is supporting in developing a friendly manual for the groups to use as a reference for their financial practices.
What this program has achieved
- Improved financial management capacity
- improved livelihoods for members
- Increased access of girls to education
- Change in community behavior and attitude towards
Some of the successful interventions designed and implemented by FAWEK.
RESCUE PROGRAMS FOR GIRLS
Provided food and shelter to more than 18,000 girls freeing from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriage
BURSARY PROGRAM
Provided scholarships to more than 4000 girls
TUSEME GIRLS’ EMPOWERMENT
16,000 girls empowered with theatre for development techniques such as drama, songs and poems, to articulate issues affecting them and take action to solve social problems affecting them.
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING DESKS
Desks manned by teachers trained on; Basic skills and techniques of counselling; Role playing in counselling; Understanding the world of the young person; Interpersonal relations
MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT
Supported 800 trauma survivors to access medical and psychiatric treatment easening their integration into the normal school calendar
GENDER SENSITIZATION
Sensitisation campaigns to raise awareness of communities on gender and importance of girls education to reinforce support structures outside the CoEs.