Retouch’s Commitment to Educating Children and Young Women

The future of education in Kenya is tied to supporting girls’ education with major implications for the country’s economic growth. Educating women also helps reduce sexual abuse among children and women while playing a vital role in breaking down cultural and social barriers that hinder girls from pursuing an education. A recent Violence Against Children Survey shows that in Kenya 1 in 3 females experienced childhood sexual violence with up to 62.6% of them experiencing it multiple times before the age of eighteen. “Sexual violence against children is a stain on our moral conscience says UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, it inflicts deep and lasting trauma, often caused by someone the child knows and trusts, in places where they should feel safe.” Russell adds, “creating equal opportunities for girls in education is not just about access but also about fostering an environment where they can thrive”.

Driving Economic Growth & Improving Public Health

In recent years, there has been a societal shift that better recognizes the incredible power of educating girls. This awareness is driving a greater focus on health and wellness. According to analysis by The World Bank Group, by keeping girls in school, they have a better chance for safety and security, health, education, and to make and control life choices and decisions. The report adds, girls receiving 12 years of quality education reduces child marriages by two-thirds, curbs unwanted pregnancies and reduces “babies having babies” too soon in their young lives.

Educating Girls to Eliminate Family Sexual Abuse

Providing health and wellness training helps to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases contracted through prostitution. Sadly, this remains the job choice for far too many women to survive. It is also heartbreaking to hear stories about rape and incest so many women and girls endure from husbands, fathers, uncles, and other men within their own home that cause unwanted pregnancies.  Many times, the violation of their bodies leads to uncertainty in the identity of the child’s father while also robbing the youth of a young girl and compounding the long-term social and economic impact on the family unit.

How Retouch is Supporting Education in Kenya

Off the beaten path outside of Mombasa Kenya you will find a village nestled in the bush of Birikani.  Spread across twelve acres sits a haven of Love, Hope and Compassion. Good Samaritan School (GSS) established in 2016, is a multi-purpose campus owned and operated by Retouch Ministries. GSS is dedicated to educating, providing two hot meals a day – Plates for Promise, teaching discipleship and providing mentorship. The laughter and enthusiastic energy of our students fill the halls and classrooms of our primary and secondary education wings. These young minds are achieving heights their families never dreamed possible.

A little east of the village within the city limits of Mombasa, fifteen young women are attending local universities through Retouch’s privately funded post-secondary program – Girl’s Empowerment (GE). Living together in four homes, they are studying everything from Public Health to Education to Hospitality. After going through GE’s application and acceptance process, they can choose their own post-secondary education path, while also receiving personal and dedicated Christian mentorship.

At Retouch, we believe in the power of education AND the transformational impact of a relationship with Christ. Our purpose goes beyond academics; it is about introducing children at an early age to Jesus Christ. Everyday our children are building confidence as their bodies are strengthened and minds are challenged. There is an abundance of joy and excitement on the faces of our young women encouraged about the bright future through Girl’s Empowerment.

Today with our partners who faithfully support this ministry, we are changing the lives of over 1,000 children, young adult women and their families. We understand and accept the responsibility to develop those God has placed in our programs. Overtime we believe God will multiply our efforts and we will have even a greater impact on Kenya for his kingdom.

At Retouch –

We have seen firsthand what poverty, family violence, sexual abuse and poor economic conditions can do to the life of a child.

We have seen what a hug, two hot meals a day and an opportunity to attend school can do to build the confidence and spirit of a high schooler.

We have seen the commitment to learning and reaching the highest accomplishment of obtaining a high school diploma or university degree.

We have seen the impact of Girl’s Empowerment on the lives of our young women academically, physically, spiritually and emotionally.  Their faith is strengthened every day through our discipleship and leadership training; creating a desire in them to become a complete person and have a relationship with Christ.  Young women in the program complete their studies in 3-4 years.

We have seen a young woman lose her parents in a tragic car accident at an early age, attempt suicide, and be accepted into Girl’s Empowerment. This same young woman will graduate in 2025 with a Public Health degree.

Every day we give thanks for the blessings realized by the planting and nurturing of seeds of faith.  Retouch is a vehicle Christ has chosen to use in Kenya to introduce Jesus Christ and share how much he loves them.  As Paul writes to the Christians in Corinth (I Corinthians 13:13,) “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; the greatest of these is love.”   Our prayer is that through Jesus we are raising a generation of Christian leaders and world changers.

If by chance you are reading this article and have yet to join the Retouch family, please go to Retouch.is  and learn more about how you can help change the lives of children and young women. Or email us directly at hello@retouch.is