Building a brighter future as a volunteer

Recently, I’ve also been talking to different businesses to see if they can support the project in any way and I’ve had some exciting results. I met with the Kenya Industrial Development Institute, and they are happy to work with us. They’ve agreed to help source some vocational placements for the next cohort of girls who graduate from the catch-up centres. They’ll also provide guidance for those girls who want to start their own businesses. The more opportunities we can provide for the girls the better and it’s fantastic to have a large institution on board!

Forging new pathways

Although this is my last letter to you, I’m so happy and proud of the progress we’re continuing to make across the project. I still enjoy training teachers, but my role has evolved slightly now, and I’ve had the opportunity to do different things since we’ve started to focus more on training and work placements for the girls.

I’ve recently got to work more closely with the students by giving them career advice. It’s nice have some time chatting to the girls one-to-one about their future choices. I encourage them to keep their options open to opportunities that come their way. It’s good to hear about what they want to do and then advise them about the best way to achieve this. They are always very eager and receptive, which is fantastic.

Evalyne‘s journey

Looking back over the year, I’m really impressed with how much the team and girls have achieved at the centres. A total of 282 girls have now graduated and transitioned onto various pathways of further training, vocation skills or placements in the community.

Behind that figure (which I am very proud of!) are the incredible girls who have made some amazing achievements. One of the final stories I want to share with you is Evalyne’s. Like many of the girls here, she’s overcome many challenges for a such a young age.

Both her parents died when she was little, and she dropped out of school as she couldn’t pay the fees. With no education, Evalyne got married at 15 years old and had her first child at 16.

Although they were both young, her husband was able to support the family and she was happy. Then, while Evalyne was expecting her second child, suddenly and tragically, her husband was killed by criminals demanding money on the road.

She went to live with her mother-in-law but struggled to provide for her children. Evalyne heard about the catch-up centre through a local official’s office and, although it was a long walk to the centre from her village, she was determined to attend.

At the centre she had the support of her mentor Gati and teacher Margaret. 

She was so eager to learn and enjoyed maths lessons as she knew these would help her to become a tailor. I’m delighted to tell you that Evalyne graduated from the centre earlier this year and began a three-month placement with a local tailor in her village.

I spoke to her recently and she told me that she was very happy with her placement: “the measurement skills I learned in mathematics helped me to cut and measure clothes correctly. I know how to sew and make women’s dresses. I feel good - people bring clothes for me to repair and I can buy food and clothes.’’

Now she has money to provide for her two young children and all of us at the centre are so proud of her.

A full circle

I also have an update about another girl, who you might remember. This time last year, Consolata was featured in an appeal at Christmas time and was learning at a catch-up centre. Now, one year on, Consolata has graduated and is working at a general stall selling food to the community such as cereals, wheat, flour and sugar.

From not being able to read, write or count when she first started at the centre, the progress she’s made is amazing. When I think that both Evalyne and Consolata also faced the challenges of remote learning and disruption during the pandemic, it makes me so proud of what they have achieved. I also think it shows just how important the work on the project is and how, with the right support and encouragement, the girls can achieve so much.

Thank you again

Thank you so much for your support. You have truly made a huge difference to the lives of young women and girls here in Kenya. None of this hard work would have been possible without your generosity and donations.

You’ll be hearing next from Bornali Gosh, a volunteer who is working in Rwanda on the Building Learning Foundation project. We haven’t met in person but I know she’s working to improve the education system there and ensure children are getting the best lessons they can. I hope you enjoy hearing from her!

Take care and thank you again for all your support,

Peter Onani

VSO Volunteer Teacher Trainer