THE EXAMPLES INITIATIVE
There is a great need for youths in rural Kenya to be informed and educated on topics related to early pregnancy, substance abuse, STI’s, and the importance of education. These issues not only have social and educational implications, but also health impacts. As a result of these issues, increased cases of pre-mature deaths are witnessed among youths in rural areas. This project focuses on a small village; Kaibei in Trans-Nzoia county, Kenya, a place I was born and raised in. The program focuses on;
- Preventing unintended pregnancies and STI’s among youths ages 13-22 years by teaching them change in attitudes about sexual behavior and improving their knowledge on early pregnancy and STI’s.
- Building skills and confidence of youths, not only to reach their academic potential but also to enact positive change in the community in regards to sex, relationship, drug, and drug abuse.
- Teaching youths about the importance of education and encouraging them to venture more into STEM fields
The program targets 9 schools (6 primary schools and 3 High schools), churches, and youth forums with a total of more than 5,000 attendees each week. The audience participation is enabled through making use of the guiding and counseling/ career counseling sessions already incorporated in school curriculums and church meetings after Sunday church services. Additionally, pending issues that needs a lot of attention in rural areas include provinsion of sanitary towels, a major challenge for girls from humble backgrounds to attend schools, and awareness on importance of family planning.