Photos: Part 1

Today, I took a professional photo with Mwarv and went through a bunch of pictures to use as filler shots for marketing the organization. That was an entirely fun experience. Look forward to seeing them all on the website and other materials soon. 

Partners!

Today, I went to a series of meetings where we have made a decision on our partners. It is quite exciting because we have been at this for months and the program's approach has probably been dealt the most blows. But I am excited that it has come to an end. The partners will be announced at a later date, but know that that is one headache out of the way. I am glad that i has all worked out. 

Education- CFK

Today, I met with Roggers of the Education Program. A very dedicated and on point guy, I must say. He took me through the Education program and its different components. CFK uses a four year model for high school students in the program.

1. Leadership Training
2. Youth Venture- 
3. Community Project
4. Mentorship

These are pretty similar to the components within the Two Hands program except not over a four year period and the terminology is also different. But anyway, it is a nice program that works with over 100 youth each year.  There is scholarship component which pays school fees for a few high school and post secondary school youth. Going back to the Leadership training I was very impressed to see the model they have used and will think about incorporating some components with Two Hands Global leadership efforts. 

Well the week with CFK has been rewarding. That is all for now. 

Taka ni Pato

Today, I visited the Tabitha clnic again before meeting with Moses of the Taka ni Pato Program. Taka ni pato refers to "trash is cash". It is an environmental program and alludes to the income generating nature of the recycling and art activities of the entrepreneurs involved in the program. The  program also deals with waste management where they train villagers in solid waste and how they can turn it into value. They sponsor clean ups in conjunction with the youth from the sports association and also provide trainings on financial literacy. Like the other programs, they really do a lot and seem to have a large impact as well.

At my visit to the clinic I sat in on a Screening for Cervical and Breast Cancer which they have begun offering to women in the community. The attending doctor worked very well with the patients some of them visiting for the first time. It was nice to sit in though, I now wonder how ethical it was... nevertheless, I really feel that I am getting a great understanding of what CFK is doing for the community in Kibera. And it is quite wonderful. Tomorrow will be my last visit for the week. We will se how it goes!  

Sports Program

Today's CFK visit allowed me to meet with Cantar of the Sports Association. A very friendly fellow, we discussed what would be useful for CFK youth in working with Two hands participants. The idea of training sessions in computer literacy, social media, and even photography caught my ear. Allowing the Two hands youth to share their basic knowledge in these area with youth who may have less access to such things would be ideal as a service opportunity. I will work a little more on this idea to flesh it out and see where we can go from here. 

Binti Pamoja

Today, for Kibera Week, I visited Binti Pamoja. Binit Pamoja means Daughters United and works with more than 1600 girls throughout Kibera empowering them through reproductive health advocacy and financial literacy. The program offers services under two categories, a Core program and one called, Safe Spaces. Both programs have essentially the same activities, which include, art, photography, drama, as well as general trainings on reproductive  and sexual health issues and aspects of financial literacy.

Safe Spaces has the added element of mentorship in which two graduates of the Core program partner to conduct activities on their own with a group of girls they recruit.  It is really quite nice as a method of impact, because it is able to reach so many girls in this way. They conduct activities with the support of Binti Pamoja.

Unfortunately, activities are mostly done on weekends because of  school of course. After learning all of this, I honestly just became frustrated once again. I feel that I have gone back to square one, which is searching for a site where my participants can volunteer for one to three weeks learning themselves but also offering something as well. With such programs, I wonder how much my kids can offer especially since the youth are only available on weekends. It made me rethink the program's approach yet again. And that is frustrating. But we will get to the bottom of this very soon. I will continue with my week in Kibera to see what else CFK has to offer. So far so good !

Kibera Week- Health

This week, I am in Kibera visiting with officers from different programs within Carolina for Kibera. I have been invited to join activities for the week to get a better sense of the organization as whole and to help shape program activities for Two Hands participants. Yesterday, I did a tour of the health facility, Tabitha clinic, which houses sexual reproductive health programming and general health services with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The clinic is huge, probably one of the best set ups I have seen in Kenya. There are spaces for lab testing, phlebotomy, X-ray, at least 8 exam rooms, a pharmacy, a nutrition ward, sexual and reproductive health room... just a lot for a clinic. Its quite impressive and  wonderful what they are dooing for the community there. Even to think of its organic beginnings with a nurse (Tabitha) starting it with just a few dollars. It's wonderful. But all of the health activities don't just happen under the umbrella of the clinic itself. Many health program activities occur in the community with breast cancer screenings, HIV educators through Community Health Workers and Young Peer Providers. They have even trained Traditional Birth Attendants to offer services throughout the community to promote safe and healthy births within the practice. It is all very good! The discussion with the Victrine and Ada was very good and they were both very helpful, giving insight to the work they do and the impact they have on Kibera. Great to see!