Empower & Educate the Girls of Rural Kisumu

Together in Celebration and Empowerment – Heartfelt Greetings from Team RKF!

Thank you for your continued support of our project and empowering the girls of Kisumu. In our last report, we shared updates from our workshops and inspiring stories of the girls in the Alendu community. Read here: Transformative Tales: Inspiring Stories of Change.

In this report, we share details of how we celebrated the International Day of The Girl Child in October 2024 with girls and mothers from Kamakowa Jumuia Mosque, one of the two communities we supported. Our upcoming report will highlight the events from the second community we supported, Nyamware Junior School.

International Day of the Girl Child: A celebration of girls across two communities 

“When I first started my periods, I had no idea what they were. Living with my strict aunt and a cousin, talking about such things felt impossible. I held on through the night, waiting until I could reach school the following day and finally confide in someone who could help me get sanitary pads - my class teacher.”

Juma, a student from Shakil Orphanage Centre in Kamakowa, shared this story with us after attending our workshops in her community. The centre provides a safe haven for 63 other girls like Juma from vulnerable backgrounds, including orphans. The centre embodies the community's resilience and compassion, creating a sanctuary that empowers girls to envision brighter futures.

In Kenya, menstrual health remains a significant barrier:60-70% of girls cannot afford sanitary products and resort to unsafe alternatives. This results in 47% of girls living in rural areas missing school, with1 in 10 absent monthly due to lack of access. Cultural stigma deepens the issue, with 80% feeling shame around menstruation, impacting their mental health and social participation.

At RKF, we believe that education is not just a right but a key driver of empowerment. On International Day of the Girl Child in October 2024, we proudly embraced the theme:‘Girls’ vision for the future’. A recent analysis by the UN highlights that despite facing challenges, girls are resilient and hopeful for what lies ahead. But their path to a brighter future requires allies who genuinely listen and take action.

We marked this special day by bringing together 58school-going girls of the Kamakowa community and their mothers/guardians for our girls' empowerment workshops. In these workshops, we shared vital information about vaginal health and hygiene, why we menstruate, how the menstrual cycle works and when we need to seek medical help about menstrual health. We also engaged in powerful, uplifting and open conversations about our bodies, breaking down stigmas and taboos passed down from generation to generation. A highlight from the workshop was an emotional moment when mothers and daughters exchanged roses donated by Tawi’s Bloom while saying affirmations like, “My daughter, you are beautiful,” and “Mum, you are beautiful”. We practice this gesture to reinforce trust and celebrate the strength of the bond mothers, and female guardians share with their daughters, showing the girls they have support systems they can rely on. 

After the workshop, Juma shared: “Since then (my first period), especially after attending the girls’ empowerment workshop, I’ve gained confidence in understanding my body and managing my periods. The session with RKF taught me invaluable lessons; I learned that having a strong relationship with my family is like a shield that empowers me, making me resistant to outside pressures.”

Through our girls' empowerment workshop, we also dedicate time to teach girls about signs of sexually predatory behaviour they may encounter, good touch versus bad touch, how they can protect themselves in such situations, and how they should report such encounters to a trusted adult.

When we spoke to Juma about this, she added, “I discovered how to say 'NO' with a firm, clear voice and be loud about it because I have a soft voice.” Through this training, we aim to reduce the number of young girls being exploited for access to sanitary pads.

We end our workshops by empowering all girls with a reusable sanitary pad kit containing two panties,soap, tissue paper, a ‘girl talk’ booklet, a storage and washing bucket and five reusable sanitary pads in cloth pouches that last 12-18 months. These pads ease financial stress for parents who are unable to afford pads and ensure that girls are not hindered from their educational journey due to a lack of fundamental menstrual rights. Through workshops and pad drives like these, we are working to end period poverty and its devastating impact on a girl child’s education.

After receiving the kit, Juma shared, “The introduction of reusable pads has been life-changing for me. They have become my go-to, allowing me to sleep peacefully without fear of leaks. Thank you to the Rahul Kotak Foundation team. May you always be blessed and guided to reach more places where girls like me and my friends can find the support we need.”

Fueling Dreams, Empowering Futures: Upcoming Workshops in 2025

RKF remains committed to being an ally, empowering girls, and ensuring they have the resources to envision and shape their future through education, a powerful tool. We also hope that with the support provided, they can carry on this journey with confidence and dignity. 

This year, we’re amplifying our efforts to empower more girls like Juma and her friends through education and support. Will you help us reach 1,000 girls in 2025? For every US$15 you donate, we empower a girl with a 12-—to 18-month sanitary pad kit and life-changing training for her and her mother.

Mark your calendars:

• 8th March 2025 | International Women’s Day 
• 28th May 2025 | Menstrual Hygiene Day 
• 11th October 2025 | International Day of the Girl Child

These transformative workshops will empower girls like Juma with essential resources and training, enabling them to flourish and pursue their educational dreams without barriers.

Be an ally and join us in our mission of ending period poverty. 

To pledge your donations, Donate here: Empower & Educate the Girls of Rural Kisumu or via M-Pesa through Pay Bill: 891300, Account No: GG31852. 

For more information, get in touch with us at info@therahulkotakfoundation.org or call us on +254 777 733 443 & +254 776 636 333

Photography Credits: Brinner Ninah

Greetings and Gratitude from Team RKF

Thank you for your continued support towards our project and communities! In our last report, we shared an update on our Scholars and the Girls Empowerment Workshop we held with them. Read the full report: Flow Forward: Empowering our Girls' Future.

In this report, we’re excited to share inspiring stories showcasing the impact of our workshops and this program. We’ll also highlight recent events, including our engaging Teachers’ Roundtable and the enriching Scholars’ Workshop. Stay tuned and read ahead…

Stories of Change

Earlier this year, we held Girls Empowerment Workshops with the students of Alendu Primary School. 51 girls received a Sanitary Pads Kit, including a pack of 5 reusable pads lasting 12-18 months. The kit comes in a bucket with two panties, soap, tissue paper and a Girl-Talk Booklet. 

We held five interactive sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours, for the girls and their mothers. The session started with sharing  stories and experiences surrrounding menstrual health. We discovered that, while symptoms and stories differed, the shame and stigma remained the same. We emphasised the need for mothers to build supportive relationships so daughters feel comfortable discussing their challenges. Additionally, we learnt about our private parts and highlighted the importance of consent. Read details of the workshop here: Alendu Primary: Empowered Women, Empower Women.

In that report, we briefly shared Vivian's story. We sat down with her and other attendees to have a deeper conversation, and here are two stories that uplifted our spirits:

Vivian loves to dance - it fills her heart with joy and always lifts her spirit. She is also the first in her family to reach Grade 8, a significant milestone that fills her with immense pride. But that's not enough; she dreams of going even further to university to pursue a career in journalism.

She didn't always want to pursue journalism; when she was in Grade 5, she was more interested in teaching. But in Grade 7, her Maths & Science teacher encouraged her curiosity and introduced her to open dialogue. This was evident when we asked her about her experience attending the Girls Empowerment Workshop we offered. She shared that she learned about her body and no longer feels embarrassed by her periods. She embraces this natural phenomenon, knowing she is not alone - this support makes her feel special and confident. 

Furthermore, she discovered effective ways to manage her cramps with warm water and simple exercises and the importance of self-care, especially when she is menstruating. She expressed how transformational the experience of attending the workshop was.

Like Vivian, we spoke with Dorine, who has a passion for dancing and a keen interest in integrated science, her favourite subject. She dreams of becoming a doctor and hopes to make a meaningful impact in her community. Through the workshops, Dorine learned valuable lessons about her body, including private parts and consent. She also discovered that reusable pads are a sustainable choice, providing comfort and reducing the need for constant purchases.

Through the workshops and necessary support we offer, we aim to pave the future for these young girls. We want to create a space where they can thrive; stories like these are a testament to that!

Scholar’s Workshop

Our scholars returned from their second term, and we had fun, inspiring, and impactful activities planned for them! These workshops aimed to rejuvenate the students after their time in school and elevate their educational experience, expanding their imaginations' horizons and inspiring them to believe that their possibilities are endless.

Before we get into it, catch up on the workshops last term. Here’s a link: Shining on: Scholars Update

The workshop began with lively ice-breakers, including musical chairs and a hilarious drawing contest that had everyone laughing. With spirits high, scholars dove into a cookout challenge, forming teams to create delicious dishes like ugali with kachumbari and vegetable pilau. This hands-on experience fostered teamwork and taught valuable lessons in leadership and communication. In the art session, they unleashed their creativity, producing vibrant paintings and origami together. The show-and-tell segment showcased individual talents, from heartfelt poems to dance and science demonstrations. The day concluded with a screening of Encanto, where scholars reflected on its themes of self-awareness and perseverance. For details and more on the workshop, read here: Reports from Scholars’ Workshop.

Teachers’ Roundtable

A famous drummer and singer of rock music, Phil Collins, once said, "In learning, you will teach, and in teaching, you will learn." Teachers dedicate their hearts and souls to nurturing the next generation. However, in their line of duty, they encounter various challenges that affect their delivery and, in the process, transmit to students.

Through the Teachers' Roundtable, the Rahul Kotak Foundation provides a platform for teachers to share their experiences and challenges and spotlight the neglected issues affecting them. We held our 3rd Teachers' Roundtable, a day of connection, learning, and reflection. It provided a space for educators to bond, share, and grow—fueled by insightful conversations and delicious meals. They discussed the challenges faced and took a deep dive into the power of a growth mindset with guest speaker Lynette Odidi. With inspiring sessions and engaging ice melters, the day was a step forward in cultivating resilience and positivity in public education.

Links:

• Empower our Girls with the Gift of Education!
• Read our latest report on our main project!
• Subscribe to RKF's newsletter for more updates