36 local schools were represented in this year’s Health and Leadership Training over the April school holiday.
268 sixth and seventh grade girls between the ages of 12 and 15 participated in the weeklong camp, representing one of the largest camps held to date at the Kakenya Center for Excellence.
Listen to Health and Leadership facilitator Alfred, from the I Am Worth Defending program, talk about the impact of the training’s self-defense curriculum:
At the camp, trained facilitators empowered the girls with knowledge about their rights, public speaking and leadership, life skills, self-defense, hygiene, and the effects of harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriages. By learning about their bodies, health, and rights, the girls are able to face daily challenges and make informed choices about their lives and education.
In addition to empowering girls to advocate for themselves, the camp also teaches girls how to be leaders and advocates for others. As Health and Leadership Training facilitator Carolina says, “We focus on leadership that is geared to transform the lives of people…It’s not just about them, it’s about others.”
Read/Listen to Carolina’s interview on how she empowers girls to be leaders here:
Health and Leadership Trainings like the one held at KCE this April empower girls to be leaders in their own lives and communities. Each transformative session is directly impacting a girls’ life and the lives of those around her, but we can’t do it alone. A weeklong camp like the one held in April costs $9,000 to put on, and just $2,000 funds a high-impact weekend training for girls and boys. Make a gift today to put on the next Health and Leadership Training.
Check out the slideshow below to experience life at camp!
