Youth Changers Kenya (YCK) is a community based organization that seeks to promote Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights through Advocacy ,provision of mentor ship & leadership and psycho social support among young people.The organization is currently working with young girls, who come from an area called Mabrouke in Limuru which is located in tea plantation areas.The area is cosmopolitan and diverse in terms; of the tribes and people who live there.Many of the residents in the area work with tea plantation companies.
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| Mabrouke the tea plantation area |
Recently while conducting a session in one of the schools in the area.YCK team was overwhelmed by the magnitude of issues presented by children aged 8-16 years.Some of the major challenges experienced in the area and those that came out strongly during the session were: Sexual abuse(Rape and Sodomy), HIV infections, Unprotected sex among young people, High levels of teenage pregnancy,early and forced child marriage,child labor,lack of sanitary towels, poverty and inter generational sex.
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| Youth Changers team being appreciated |
It was clear that "environment plays a critical role in shaping an individual's behavior and greatly influences early sexual debut.
"We live in a one bedroom house where we see or hear our parents engaging in sex or at times since my dad left my mum in the rural area he comes with a woman who is not know to me and they engage in sex in my presence". Remarks made by a girl.
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| Sheila and Prudence having a discussion with the girls |
The issues mentioned above clearly show that young people are engaging in sex and they do not have the right information about their sexuality or if they do it is distorted.There is a dire need for parents to educate their children on sexuality issues so that young people can be empowered and make informed decisions. These will also help them counter influence from peers,media and internet.
It is interesting to note that Young people find it comfortable to have sex in the paths created by tea plantations and call the place Green Lodge. The saddest bit is; most of them engage in unprotected sex, annually over four girls drop out school while four would do the final exams while nursing and most of them go through sexual abuse from the parents or people who are close to them.
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| The team gathered over 300 pieces of papers all about sex! |
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| Stevo with the boys in session |
Youth Changers Kenya will continue to work with the school to empower them more with basic life skills since the challenges affecting young people in the area are intense This will enable them make decisions as they transition into adulthood. Additionally we will train the girls with self defense skills so that they can have the ability to protect themselves when attacked by perpetrators. Finally the area chiefs and local officers will not be left out, capacity building will be done and policies developed to ensure justice is achieved for young people who go through sexual abuse.
" Together we can make our voices heard"
Contributor: Venoranda Rebecca Kuboka
Connect with us on: youthchangerskenya@gmail.com
Facebook: Youth Changers Kenya
Connect with us on: youthchangerskenya@gmail.com
Facebook: Youth Changers Kenya
