Empowering Survivors of Exploitative domestic work on home management skills

In Kakamega County, the harsh economic realities have forced many young girls from impoverished families into exploitative domestic work. With limited employment opportunities, these girls often find themselves in situations where they are underpaid, overworked, and subjected to poor working conditions. Recognizing this pressing issue, WE REACH with the support of Freedom Fund through the NIA program has initiated a transformative Home Management course aimed at empowering survivors of exploitative domestic work with professional skills and knowledge to secure better job opportunities and advocate for fair compensation.

The three-day intensive Home Management course, conducted by the Capacity Training Institute (CTI) in Kakamega Town and certified by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), trained 30 survivors, equipping them with essential home management skills. These skills range from operating modern kitchen appliances like microwave ovens and blenders to mastering culinary techniques such as marinating chicken. Snidah Atieno, the chairlady of the survivors' network, expressed her gratitude, saying, "I would like to appreciate WE REACH for training us on home management skills. We now have the skills we need during domestic work periods; some of us now know how to operate many kitchenwares and marinate chicken."

The significance of this training cannot be overstated. It provides the survivors with a professional edge, enhancing their employability and enabling them to negotiate for better wages and working conditions. As Benard Namusasi, the principal of CTI, noted, "The work WE REACH is doing for the community, especially for girls and women who have survived exploitation, is commendable." He suggested the possibility of providing attachment opportunities in local hotels to further solidify their training.

However, logistical and financial constraints pose challenges to these follow-up plans. As the director of WE REACH explained, there are currently no resources to facilitate daily travel from the village to town for internships. Despite these hurdles, WE REACH remains committed to supporting these survivors through the formation of a survivor network, which has already elected its leaders.

This initiative seeks additional financial support to ensure comprehensive integration of the survivors into the job market. Extending the training period would also allow more time for practical skill development, addressing the request from Snidah Atieno for longer training durations.

For a more substantial impact, collaboration with local and national government bodies, as well as donor organizations, is crucial. Financial support and logistical assistance would enable the expansion of this program to reach more survivors across Kakamega County. By providing these young women with the necessary skills and opportunities, we can help break the cycle of exploitation and pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

‘This Home Management course is more than just a training program; it is a lifeline for survivors of domestic work exploitation in the County. With continued support and collaboration, we have the opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of these survivors, ensuring they are equipped, supported, and empowered to achieve sustainable livelihoods’ Linzy Otieno Program Officer

The Success Story of a 2023 WASH Project in Primary Schools: A Tale of Transformation

In Mumias East Sub-County, Kakamega County, Kenya, several schools are grappling with inadequate water and sanitation facilities, posing health risks and hindering educational opportunities. Recognizing the urgent need for intervention.

15 primary schools from the Mumias East sub-county were prioritised for the WE REACH WASH project in 2023. These schools were presented by the sub-county education officer, and they participated in the baseline survey. Out of the 15 schools, 10 schools that registered a significant high case count among the students were selected to partner with WE REACH in this one-year project.

The WASH project placed a strong emphasis on educational empowerment. The BoM and Head teachers were trained on WASH issues in schools and their roles and responsibilities. Training sessions on hygiene promotion, handwashing techniques, and menstrual health management were conducted for students, teachers, and the BoM, fostering a culture of hygiene consciousness within the school community. Interactive activities, such as health clubs and drama performances, served as effective tools for disseminating crucial information and instilling behavioural change.

The impact of the WASH project on the health and well-being of students was profound. With access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities, instances of waterborne illnesses plummeted, leading to a noticeable decrease in absenteeism due to illness. Moreover, the adoption of proper hygiene practices translated into a reduction in the spread of contagious diseases, benefiting not only students but also their families and the wider community.

There was a 72% reduction in water-related illnesses, a 77% reduction in menstrual issues, and 69% reduction in skin and oral infections from the total cases at the beginning of the year 2023 to the total cases at the end of the year 2023.

Success Stories

The success of the WASH project is best illustrated through the feedback of some individuals who we were privileged to have worked with:

“I want to appeal to WE REACH to continue being in touch with us, you can come and check on us so that we can continue improving our hygiene and sanitation. I also want to report that the diarrhoea infections have been minimised as a result of improved hygiene and sanitation around the school. If girls had period stains during their menses, they had to go home, now they have a changing room where they can clean up and go back to class.” Mr. Makokha Simeon (Eshisenye Pri School) Head Teacher

“I applaud WE REACH for the WASH project; thus far, I have heard nothing but good things from parents whose children have passed on to them the skills they learned from WE REACH training. The only problem we have is the administration’s delay in allocating funds to purchase the supplies required for school-based soap production.” Mr. Andrew Mwima (Mahola Pri School) is a BoM Member

“We had a lot of stomach problems back then and no handwashing stations. However, since the learners started washing their hands regularly, preventable illnesses like diarrhoea have decreased, and school attendance has improved.” Madam Carolyn Vusulu (Maraba Pri School) Teacher Health Champion

"We, the health club members, are the first to encourage fellow learners to wash hands, use the trash bin, and clean toilets so that everyone can use a school that is clean every day. The health club members also have music, dance, and drama used to increase WASH awareness within the school and community. The health club members who participated in the YPP program run by WE REACH learned how to make soap that is used at the school’s various hand washing stations.” Patience Makotswe (Eshisenye Primary School) Health Club member

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate the success of the WASH project in schools in 2023, it is imperative to acknowledge that our work is far from over. Sustaining the gains made requires continued investment, monitoring, and capacity building. Moreover, we are replicating the model in the other 10 schools in the Mumias East sub-county this year. The success stories shared above demonstrate the transformative potential of WASH projects in schools and communities. By addressing the root causes of poor health and hygiene practices and engaging stakeholders at all levels, these initiatives can create lasting change and improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. As we continue to advocate for universal access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, let these stories serve as inspiration and motivation to strive for a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Bob and Tricia Hayne visit to WE REACH CBO in Kakamega, Kenya

In January 2022 we had the pleasure of hosting Bob and Tricia Hayne, friends of our Consultant Steve Ashton.  They have been faithful supporters of WE REACH since its inception and came Kakamega to see its work on the ground, meet Erick and Edwin and to visit some of the schools.  Tricia summarizes their visit in her note below in which she states:

 “But the resourcefulness of these schools in combination with the experience introduced by WE REACH is producing results that surpass anything we had anticipated.”

 “Have you washed your hands?”

 It’s a question that rolls off the tongue of most parents and teachers before meals – with never a thought for the implications.  Yet what happens when there is no water? No soap? No understanding of the importance of washing hands in the first place?

 Water, Sanitation, Hygiene: these are the words that underpin the global WASH programme that is being rolled out by WE REACH in Kakamega, western Kenya. To understand how it works on the ground, we visited five schools in January 2022 with founders of the charity, Erick Bosire and Steve Ashton.

 Even with our high expectations, nothing had prepared us for the overwhelming sense of achievement that we met.  Headteachers told us that since partnering with WE REACH, children are healthier, with fewer stomach and diarrhoea problems, their attendance has improved, and little by little their education is benefiting.  Health champions (a teacher in each school who works with WE REACH to oversee the WASH programme) proudly introduced their health clubs, girls and boys aged around 7 to 13 who meet up to three times a week to learn about health issues.  Hand-washing stations were in place, latrines were clean, morale was high.  And most of all, the youngsters were having fun.

 How could a child not enjoy using a piece of string, a nail and a glass bottle as a way to learn how to use a latrine properly – and so much the better when it’s competitive?  Children joined in a hand-washing relay race. A little girl in a play was taken to a scary “witch doctor” (who was in his element!) in an attempt to cure an illness, until it was established that cleanliness was the key.   Soap – normally way outside the budget of these schools – is made by the kids in a great big vat stirred with a wooden paddle, ready for them to use every day; it even smells nice, an unheard-of luxury. Games, poems, songs, role play: all are introduced on a month-by-month basis by Erick and his assistant, Edwin.  And best of all, the message is spreading out from the schools to the parents and to the wider community.  

 Of course, huge challenges remain, including a lack of water, which for most schools is brought in by their learners from a borehole or nearby stream.  But the resourcefulness of these schools in combination with the experience introduced by WE REACH is producing results that surpass anything we had anticipated.  Finally, we understood how something so simple could be so effective.

GBV Success story

Gladys Asango is one of the GBV survivors that was selected to benefit from the GBV project. Gladys had started a business before but it collapsed due to a lack of skills in running the business. In the training, she was taken through various stages of starting and managing her business successfully and also how to make handwashing liquid soap. After selling the liquid soap, she got enough money to restart her failed business of selling tomatoes at a market near her home. In her confession, she said that she follow all the skills she got from the training to ensure she doesn’t fail again in business. Gladys is now a happy person who is getting good profits and she looks forward to expanding her business. She is very excited and grateful to the organization for the opportunity

Teen Pregnancies an emerging crisis in Kakamega County: Blame it on COVID-19.

COVID-19 virus has affected education sector globally resulting to nearly complete closure of schools, colleges and universities. In Kenya including Kakamega County, all learning institutions have been closed down and is estimated that more than three hundred thousand learners are at home. This is almost 30% of the learners in the whole Country. When institution abruptly closes, learners and youths are dispossessed and also chances for growth and development are hampered.

With the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown, the disease continues to affect young people especially girls in the following ways; absence of physical contact with the teachers for content delivery and continues counselling, school meals which children from disadvantaged families rely on as well as access to free sanitary pads which sometimes are given by the County government. This is because of the regulations like social distancing that the Ministry of Health has set to curb the spread of the virus.

Though there is an option of digital learning, it is not reliable due to inaccessibility of technology or dependable internet access. This has barred learners from rural community and those from underprivileged families from accessing quality education. Most teens are now idle in the community and have resorted to engaging in transactional sex in order to get sanitary pads and food. The number of teenage pregnancies is rising as days goes by in the County. According to the recent Kenya Health Information Systems (KHIS) survey report, Kakamega County has recorded over 6500 teenage pregnancies between the months of January and June 2020.

In cognisant with this crisis, WE-REACH Organization in conjunction with the Ministry of Health Kakamega County is conducting trainings and sensitization to the girls on Sexual Reproductive Health, Family Planning to curb this upsurge. The Organization has ensured that the teen’s champions are selected to continue with the community education on Sexual Reproductive Health and report on the progress for project sustainability beyond the pandemic.

To ensure that this emerging crisis amid COVID19 pandemic is addressed comprehensively, there is need for governments and health partners to include sexual and reproductive health services in their respective COVID19 response plans so that issues like Teen Pregnancies can be addressed along the pandemic response plans. Health stakeholders at the community also must as well redirect their resources to providing sexual and reproductive health services within this period.

In conclusion, the Ministry of Health at the County level should ensure that restrictions on movement don't limit access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, protection and psychological support services. The Ministries of health and education should also partner with appropriate stakeholders in the community provide sessions for parents on how to address these topics with their children and to respond accurately to some of the half-truths and fallacies around sexuality education.

WE REACH CBO donates to the County government to combat COVID-19 in Kenya

WE REACH CBO joined the County Government of Kakamega in Kenya’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 disease by donating liquid soap for hand washing to be distributed to various health facilities and isolation centres across Kakamega. 

This was in response to an appeal made by the Kakamega County Director of Health asking partners in the County to help fill the gap in the shortage materials to combat COVID-19 so preventing the spread of the disease. 

Speaking when receiving the donations, County Public Health Officer Mr. Indeje and County Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Coordinator Mr. Kevin expressed happiness with the commitment from WE REACH CBO in helping the fight against COVID-19. 

“With this kind of support by WE REACH CBO we are now able to gradually address the shortage of COVID-19 materials. It will go along way to help us fight this pandemic in our County. We therefore appreciate your support and we will continue to do so until we win the war against this disease,’’ Said Mr. Indeje “We thank you for that.” 

 Speaking during the donation WE REACH CBO Executive Director Erick Bosire said, “Today we have donated 250 litres of liquid handwashing soap to be distributed to various health facilities and isolation centres and we will continue to partner with government especially in this fight against COVID-19 disease. 

 “We all need to double our efforts and do whatever it takes to make sure we overcome this fight. The coronavirus, if not halted, will have a vast negative impact on the most vulnerable communities, and poses a risk to efforts and progress to improving the health and wellbeing of people in our community”. ‘As an organisation are working in collaboration with government and other organisations to prevent the spread of the virus and reduce its effects on the most vulnerable’. 

 WE REACH CBO operates within Lurambi Sub County in Kakamega County by improving school children’s health and disease prevention through the delivery of Water and Sanitation Hygiene using sustainable and community led solutions.  

What you should know about COVID-19 to protect yourself and others

Know about COVID-19

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person.

• The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has spread throughout the world.

• COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild (or no symptoms) to severe illness and death. Know how COVID-19 is spread

• You can become infected by coming into close contact (about 6 feet or two arm lengths) with a person who has COVID-19. COVID-19 is primarily spread from person to person.

• You can become infected from respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

• You may also be able to get it by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
  Protect yourself and others from COVID-19

• There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

• Stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with others.

• Wear a cloth face/mask covering that covers your nose and mouth in public settings.

• ·Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol- based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Practice social distancing

• Use mobile money transfer service such as MPESA for your transactions and complete banking activities online when possible.

• If you must go in person, stay at least 6 feet away from others and disinfect items you must touch.

• Get deliveries and takeout, and limit in-person contact as much as possible.

Prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick

• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.

• Avoid public transportation, ride sharing, or taxis.

• Separate yourself from other people and pets in your home.

• There is no specific treatment for COVID-19, but you can seek medical care to help relieve your symptoms.

• If you need medical attention, call 719

  Know your risk for severe illness

• Everyone is at risk of getting COVID-19.

• Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more severe illness

Engaging Stakeholders on WASH Project in Primary Schools

WE REACH has been engaging with the County government of Kakamega through the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Education (MOE) right from the start of the project. WE REACH held an introductory meeting with representatives of the two ministries whereby various WASH issues in primary schools were discussed. The County Director of Public Health who was present noted that there is need to address poor condition of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in primary schools and therefore welcomes all partners who supports this course. During this meeting with the ministries, 10 schools were prioritised for the pilot project. From our baseline survey (2019) that we conducted in these schools; we noted two things i.e. school stakeholders are not WASH innovative, lack of ownership of school health. Therefore, need for more sensitisation and training of school management stakeholders as school Board of Management (BOM) members, teachers and children.  

WE REACH believes in sustainability of any project. This project is designed to educate BOM members on their role in school health using government set standards and policies (Kenya School Health Policy). This approach empowers them to become their own advocates in addressing sanitation and hygiene challenges facing their respective schools. Teachers are also trained as WASH champions to ensure that they lead WASH activities and school health clubs. Children are also trained through health clubs on good hygiene practices using skill-based approach CHAST (Child Hygiene and Sanitation Training). These interventions ensure continuity of the project and that all school stakeholders own the project. This will be good for these schools when WE REACH ends the project. 

Towards this end, WE REACH has already conducted two BOM members training meetings with Emulele and Esokone primary schools. The meetings were attended by Sub County WASH Coordinator Dorice Ogweche and UK based WE REACH consultant Steve Ashton. It was noted that there is a big gap in WASH knowledge and skills among the BOM Members in schools as well as members do not know their roles in school health.  But with clear understanding of roles and responsibilities, the BOM members can help in eliminating water related diseases by setting good health standards in schools.  

At the moment all schools are closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic but we will continue the training immediately schools are reopened.