Since 2001, we’ve been working with individuals, communities and local government to improve the lives of children, young people and families in Kenya.
Seed of Hope community based vocational training centres
Since 2002 our Seed of Hope vocational training centres have witnessed more than 1,500 young people graduate with the skills, confidence and experience they need to build secure livelihoods.
Our young people have been exposed to high-risk situations including child marriage, child prostitution, familial abuse and extreme poverty. 72% of Seed of Hope’s student population are girls, the majority of whom have not had the opportunity to attend secondary school. Students access training in life skills, business skills and vocational skills such as:
- dressmaking and fashion design
- motor vehicle mechanics
- hair and beauty therapy
- basic computer packages
- home care management
Students receive training and after the completion of training Seed of Hope facilitates the launch of small businesses for graduates.
“I am a young girl with my own business so people respect me. I provide for my family and take care of my parents’ needs.” (Sylvia, 2012 graduate)
- 69% of Seed of Hope students were unemployed and ‘idle at home’ before joining a Seed of Hope programme
- 20% of Seed of Hope students were engaged in casual labour before joining a Seed of Hope programme
- 86% of our graduates are currently employed or self-employed, 5% are in further education or training
- 59% of our graduates have ‘no struggle’ to provide for themselves and their dependants
- 89% of our graduates contribute to their family’s needs every month
- 50% of our graduates are currently mentoring others in their community (of which 34% are mentoring 10 or more individuals)
- 21% of our graduates are currently training others
- 5% of our graduates are employing 1 or 2 people in their business
Source: 2017 impact assessment report
Sustainable specialist schools for children with disabilities
We have supported the establishment of two specialist education schools, Kirunguru School in Kandara District and Percy Davies School in Kambiti, offering specialist education to children with complex physical and mental disability. Having helped establish the two schools, we handed them over to the community and worked with local government to encourage local ownership.
- 74% of students have improved communication skills since joining school
- 71% of students have marked improvement in their mobility since enrolment
- 60% of students have significantly better social skills
- 99% of students have improved motor skills (61% rated significant improvement)
- 78% of students are able to dress themselves – only 36% at enrolment
- 91% of students demonstrate improved concentration
- 92% of students show improvement in the ability to follow simple instructions
Source: 2017 impact report, teacher evaluations
We now supplement the schools’ Government budget with additional educational resources, improved school dinners and therapy costs. It is our intention that both of these schools will be fully locally owned by 2020. Over the next two years we will be working closely with each school to establish sustainable income generating activities and sustainability models to achieve total self-reliance.
In all the work that we do in supporting children with disabilities there is one overriding goal – to give all children the opportunity to reach their potential.
