When we first met Khadija’s mother she was desperate for help. HIV positive herself, she had been providing for her family through prostitution and she was worried her daughter would follow the same path. After some investigation we discovered that Khadija was beginning to experiment with being paid for sex, at only 14 years old. Our hearts were broken, how could this be possible?
We met with Khadija and talked with her about her future. She wanted something different. She didn’t want to “go out at night” but she could not see a different path.
This is the ministry of the Girls Empowerment Program. It’s creating an opportunity for girls, including Khadija, to choose their own career through training programs, help with job placement, and most importantly personal and dedicated Christian mentorship. Khadija, like many others Girls Empowerment, now knows her value as a woman created in the image of God.
What does Girls Empowerment do?
The Girls Empowerment Program provides opportunity to continue higher-learning post secondary-school. After an application process, the graduates choose their course of study and are provided with school fees for their degree program at University. They are provided with community housing with other girls in the program. Equipped with food, kitchens and study areas, these houses help the girls feel a sense of independence, while still living in community and discipleship. Our team offers regular counseling and discipleship as the girls continue their course of study. In their final year, they are offered an internship in their field of study, which often opens the door for a job placement very quickly.
The team:
Joy & Cyndi are the heart and soul of the Girls Empowerment program. Without them, the opportunity for Higher education would not exist.
Joy, our dedicated Kenyan social worker, leads the Girls Empowerment Program with remarkable passion and expertise. She holds a degree in Social Programs and is currently furthering her education by studying Theology. Joy’s commitment to empowering young women is evident in her tireless efforts to provide them with the tools and support they need to succeed. She is often found counseling the girls and their families, serving them with her entire heart.
Cyndi is a dynamic business executive, driven by the joy of solving problems and working for sustainable solutions. She founded the Girls Empowerment Program to advance education for girls in Kenya. Her vision and leadership have been instrumental in providing young women with opportunities to achieve their educational goals. Cyndi’s dedication to empowering girls reflects her commitment to creating lasting positive change in their lives and communities.
Graduate Spotlight
Karen’s journey is a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of education and support. Growing in a single-parent home, in a small village in Kenya, Karen faced many challenges, but her spirit remained unbroken. She was extremely bright and excelled in school. She joined the Girls Empowerment program to pursue a degree in teaching. Thanks to the support of the program, she was able to attend a great school, where she thrived. With hard work and determination, Karen graduated from university and is now a dedicated secondary school teacher. Her story is one of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of education. Karen’s success inspires not only her students but her entire community, showing that with love, support, and opportunity, lives can be profoundly changed for the better.
