Cocktail Meeting (YCK)

Youth Changers Kenya Cocktail Activity photos

Friends of Youth Changers Kenya( African Nazarene University & WAYAN)

Great smile from an adult partner

Yess lets keep smiling

Youth Changers team loves you

Presentation on YCK

Tangaza University was around to support us

Prudence talking about what she does best

Food time yeeeeee

Words of wisdom from an adult partner

Groupie!!

Technical group supporting YCK

Battle of titans(Sexuality versus Religion)

Sexuality and religion are two important components that cannot be separated. Does religion talk positively about sexuality? This is a good question to think about? When I was growing up it was continually emphasized that sex is sinful and it’s bad. One of the things that I have learnt while conducting my sex education programmes is telling young people that sex is a good thing.

The reason as to why we are losing young people is because religious institutions are unable to hold honest discussions about sexuality in church set ups. Is it possible for us to discuss sexuality without imposing our values or having biases in religious institutions? Discussions in religious circles are about what one should not do, unlike empowering young people with information in order for them to make informed choices.

I am not disputing the abstinence method but one thing is clear that young people are not abstaining especially in religious institutions. So what can be done about this? Do we insist and push it down young people’s throats that they are involved in fornication and immorality? Or call it illicit sex? Do abstinence rings and cards still exist is this a realistic and practical way of addressing sexuality issues among the youth?  We can ask ourselves endless questions.

Religion plays a key role in invalidating feelings about sexuality; it continues to affirm traditional worldview of how filthy and dirty sex and in some instances discussing openly about sex still remains a taboo. We have no choice but to break the norm and go against all odds by creating platforms and opportunities to demystify the myths and misconceptions attached to sexuality.

Sexuality is mostly equated to sexual acts forgetting that individuals have other components which are; who one is attracted to, reproduction and intimacy. When we come to terms that the society is heterogeneous then it becomes easy for us to have a fragmented ideology about issues. It is not my role as an educator to control and dictate the path young people take; it is more helpful if young people are provided with comprehensive information about sexuality and allowed to make informed choices.

I had an opportunity to be a youth expert in one of the Christian stations for over two years. To be honest young people in religious circles are suffering in silence they cannot confide in anyone because of fear of judgment of what they are going through. How then can we improve this? Sexuality and religion forums need to be taught in church without biases.

We need to provide safe spaces in religious circles. Regardless of young people’s sex, religious affiliations, class and ethnic group being tolerant is important. Can the church embrace diversity? Gone are the days when young people would be shamed in church due to engaging in sex before marriage. Dynamics have changed and people have autonomy over their bodies.

GIRL POWER

This year's theme for the International day of the girl child was" The power of the adolescent girl vision 2030" .Youth Changers Kenya spent time with young vibrant girls who proved that indeed investing in adolescents is a worthwhile venture.

Take a sneak pic at some of the lovely photos;

Action one two go"

Groundie

Energizer

See this booklet with cool stuff

Young girl help us here

Run Run Run

Time to mingle, mingle

What is?

Come on lets do this

3D image girls are just girls having fun

Mum and Dad this is what you should know!

After having a discussion over the weekend with young people here are some of the 

 remarks the young people would wish their parents to be in touch with and know.

The remarks were collected from a mixed school. One of assumptions we cannot continue 

having is the fact that young people are not engaging in sex. Over 80% of the questions

that students share during our discussions are related to sexuality in particular sexual 

intercourse. To some of us these remarks might not surprise us to others this might be a 

great opportunity for us change certain things especially parenting strategies and 

interventions used in addressing youth challenges.

All this remarks are anonymous 

#What young people want parents to know#

"I am in my early twenties and I have been in a relationship for 5 years with a man I love so much.

Am sexually active and not ready to loss him I would want to reduce the frequency of engaging in

sex. I cannot stay around him without doing it".

"I want my parents to support my decisions and allow me to make personal choices".

"My parent should be open and not warn me without giving me good reasons".

"I would appreciate if my parents would help me nurture my talent".

"Our parents should know that our generation needs their concern they should create time and speak to us about sexuality. They should not expose us to money because this is a tool not a destination". 

"WE need more of their time than money".

"My parents should know that I have been having sex for the past four years".

"Parents need to trust young people and know that their responsible and able to make informed decisions".

"Please believe in my dreams “My parents would not allow me to talk a certain career path am better off in arts than academics. Support me in this”.

In order for us to ensure effective communication parents need to be friends with their 

children, encourage dialogue, and talk to them diligently and openly about the different

developmental challenges. Lastly, parents have no choice but to style up and know the

emerging trends among young people this enables parents to have information about the

changing dynamics among the youths. Act

Reach out to us on: youthchangerskenya@gmail.com

iv

Youth Changers Kenya Profile

ABOUT YCK

Youth Changers Kenya (YCK) is a community based organization.YCK promotes sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) through advocacy, provision of information and services through referrals, mentorship & leadership training and psychosocial support among young people.

           
YCK works with different partners and stakeholders to realize its goals and objectives. The main target is the young people and marginalized groups (women), with special focus on young girls from tea plantations areas in Limuru.

Our Vision

YCK envisages a community where everyone has access to sexual and reproductive health and rights information and SRHR needs and choices of young people are respected.

Our Mission

YCK is committed to promoting high quality, high impact and gender-sensitive sexual and reproductive health and rights information  for vulnerable groups especially girls from tea plantations and marginalized groups aged  (15 – 30 years) in Limuru area through capacity building, lobbying & advocacy and strategic partnerships.

Core Values

The following are guiding values of YCK

• Strategic Partnership
• Impact
• Quality Information
• Creativity and Innovation
• Transparency and Accountability
• Participation and teamwork

Strategic Goals

Our programme focus is aligned to the following themes:

•  Access to SRHR information
• Adolescents and youth aged 15 – 30 years of age as primary clients.
• Advocacy to counter barriers that limit access to sexual and reproductive health services and information.
• Provision of information to marginalized groups and vulnerable people with a focus on young girls in tea plantations.
•  Participation in the International, regional and National advocacy to influence policy change.

Guiding Principles

• Gender and youth equity are considered an integral part of all policies and programmes
• Maintaining the effectiveness and quality provision of SRHR Information.
• Non-discrimination on grounds of age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, HIV status or in any other aspects subject to local law
• Meaningful Youth Participation among young people.

Programmes

Advocacy

Participation in Grassroots, National, Regional and International meetings to promote SRHR among young people with a key focus on girls from un reached areas (tea plantations) and in ICPD program of action and POST 2015 processes.

Participation in Conference for Population and development support from Youth Coalition

Mentorship and leadership

Training of young people on SRHR , basic life skills and economic empowerment.This will be done through provision of consistent mentorship and coaching programmes among young people in Limuru area, to enhance their leadership capacity and ability to make informed choices and decisions.

Life skills training for young girls

Boys chat

Psychological support

Establish a mental health project that will address psychological challenges affecting youth include; Suicide, depression, self esteem, peer pressure and Substance abuse by providing individual and group counseling.

Group counseling

 Peer education Academy

The academy programme aims at equipping young people with information and skills on Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights and other life skills to support their peers.

Through this programme YCK believes peers will develop transferable work-related skills such as communication, advising, counseling and presentations skills, in addition to leadership and teamwork experience and be able to reach out to fellow peers.

                         

Photo with students after a session

                                               “Together we can make our voices heard”

For more information, contact:

Youth Changers Kenya

P.O Box 27745-00100,

Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel: 0770-406528

Face book: Youth Changers Kenya

Email: youthchangerskenya@gmail.com

A walk with Youth Changers Kenya

Picture 1

Picture 2

Girls Chit chat" Empowering the girl child.

Picture 3

This is how we do it after having a cool time.

Picture 4

Sexuality session in progress

Picture 5

Game time! Fun time

Picture 6

Boys catching up with wonderful ladies

Picture 7

                                                                        Relax!

                                                                    Picture 8

                                                                 "Almasi"
                                                            
                                                                Picture 9

                                                 Listen to us no one told us what we are telling you 

                                                                   Picture 10

                                             Exactly! We love empowering the boy child too.
                                                                 Picture 11

I went through that too! Lets talk

# END#

It wasn't me

Youth Changers Kenya (YCK) has had the opportunity to offer mentor ship and leadership sessions in a number of schools in Kiambu County throughout the past term. This aimed at addressing a number of challenges that young people experience. The progress made has been evident. Behavior and attitude change are positive observations that the team has worked towards improving. The schools are incredible but a number of challenges still remain.

Despite loving reaching out to young people there moments when patience runs out. The level of discipline in some of the schools YCK has visited is low. Pertinent questions go through our minds. Do parents research appropriately concerning where they take their children to school, do we listen to our young people when they complain about certain challenges in school, is the school management to blame?  Do parents and young people have an existing relationship that gives room for dialogue not monologue? We can ask ourselves so many endless questions.

In the past month the media has been highlighting reports of how property has been destroyed in schools and 2 students dying due to unrest. This is really agonizing but who is to blame?. Charity begins at home is an old saying that has existed for years. But guess what this simple proverb is a great reality for many of us now.  Parents and guardians play a critical role in who one becomes this is because they mold up our personalities while individuals are growing up. Parents young people model a lot from you if you are doing the wrong things this young people will at some point follow suit. You have no choice than to up your integrity game.

In the process of working with young people a number of discoveries have been identified:  Some of vices exhibited by young people are as a result of where they come from, Lack of role models, Identity versus role confusion and poor parenting. When having interactions with them in the past three months elements of despair, not being understood, frustrations from homes were quite clear. Our young people have lost hope in life. And if this is not addressed appropriately from homes the truth of the matter is many of them will be lost along the way. These world changers are full of incredible ideas that can make a difference but this potential can be achieved with the support and guidance of parents

Schools have an equal share too regarding this menace. They have a responsibility to ensure that there is a hospitable environment for young people to learn and grow without any form of intimidation. Systems and good management are important in ensuring these objectives are met. Young people on the other hand need help and guidance from parents and mentors to navigate through adolescence crisis as they transition to adulthood. They are easily swayed by peers and many of them have formed unhealthy gang groups that are known for doing bad things in institutions. For all the NGO’s working with children and youth it is imperative to be flexible and adjust interventions to suit the needs of the youthful population’s due to the new dynamics unfolding. Let us integrate our interventions to achieve effectiveness in our undertakings.

Parents young people are looking for people to emulate, note that you are their primary source of influence thus you have no option but to be a good example. Parents cannot relent on taking up responsibility. Schools come in second in exerting secondary influence thus they can only enforce that which you have instilled in young people. Parents take up the challenge, learn from mistakes and let’s make the lives of youth better.

BLACK BERRY BEAUTIES SPEAK AT THE CPD 48 SESSION

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a bold step to take the risk and desire to see change. Every year government officials and CSO’s meet to discuss pertinent issues regarding population and development. This year is quite significant since the Millennium Development Goals are coming to an end and a new dawn to the POST 2015 agenda begins. It is great to witness young people join international and regional platforms to ensure that their issues are heard & they participate in the advocacy process.

This year’s conference on population and development was held in New York from 12^th-17^th April 2015 at the United Nations. Young people were present and they had important issues to say, they worked closely with government representatives and were advocating for reproductive health and rights, decent opportunities for all, education for all and comprehensive sexuality education among others. 

CPD 48 session plenary session

It was enlightening to see young people speak as experts in panel discussions concerning the future they want and the importance of engaging youth voices in the POST 2015 process. These black berries from Africa met early February 2013 after attending a CPD training organized by Youth Coalition in Nairobi, Kenya. They have been proactive at national, regional and international level in advocating for Sexual Reproductive health and Rights among young people, Women and girls.



Youth Coalition CPD training in 2013

Sessions conducted by black berry beauties

Venoranda from Kenya (Team leader, Youth Changers Kenya) and a Youth Advocate with Youth Coalition had the opportunity to speak in an event organized by Action Aid, Youth Coalition and UNDP on “Realizing young urban women’s rights to SRHR and decent work – challenges for the post-2015 agenda”. Promoting Meaningful Youth Participation in the post 2015 process is important and establishing linkages between health and employment cannot be overlooked to achieve sustainable development. "A woman is a full circle within her is the power to create, nurture and transform". Diane Mariechild



Venoranda discussing about the Linkages between Health and Decent work



Zoneziwoh from Cameroon (Executive director Women for a change Cameroon) highlighted her work in promoting youth and girls voices in the post-2015 development. She joined a panel discussion hosted by The Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations and the United Nations Population Fund. Zoneziwoh has vast experience with working with women her drive, passion and devotion blows many off. We cannot continue to talk of creating a Post-2015 development framework towards a sustainable future without considering the needs and aspirations of young people, women and girls who constitute over 65% of the world’s total population.

 

 Zoneziwoh Post-2015 development framework must consider the needs and aspirations of young people, women and girls



Edith Asamani from Ghana (Program officer in charge of advocacy and communication Curious minds Ghana and women deliver young leader she has been a speaker at the United Nations General Assembly Meeting and the CPD in 2015. This young girl knows her content; she is very articulate and passionate about touching lives. Meaningful Youth Participation is key for the world to realize sustainable development. When young people are properly equipped with skills and information- they can better engage and contribute effectively to building the ‪#‎WorldWeWant!

Edith "we must build the capacity of young people to engage in the POST 2015 process"

Moving forward: These young women are engaging more with the POST 2015 process, but there is no surety that it will have an extremely strong language on SRHR like the CPD programme of action. They are currently holding national forums on POST 2015 process to advocate governments to prioritize on youth issues especially Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and Youth Participation.

It is important for young people to be conversant with the ongoing processes such as: Intergovernmental negotiations, financing for development, regional meetings on POST 2015 and the upcoming SGD summit to be held in September. These avenues create platforms to ensure that our voices are heard.

Keep flying high shinning stars.

Black berries at the UNGASS meeting September 2014

Big thanks to Youth Coalition, Curious minds, Dance 4 life ,MANDELA Washington Fellowship, USAID & IREX for the support participate in such platforms.

Contributors: Venoranda Rebecca Kuboka, Edith Asamani and Zoneziwoh

Facebook Page: Youth Changers Kenya, Women For a Change Cameroon and Curious Minds Ghana

Email: youthchangerskenya@gmail.com

 



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