Enhance (mental) health of 1,358 Kenyan youths

KAP’s activities are implemented according to year plans funded by several donors and well-wishers.
Activities sponsored by GlobalGiving donations are due to start as per October 2021.

Meanwhile, as from April through July 2021, KAP has actively and successfully implemented similar activities for its marginalized (also called ‘unreached’) youths beneficiaries, using funds from older sources. These took place in the areas of Sabata, near rural Matunda/Kiminini and Shimo la Tewa, a sprawling slum in Kitale town. A basic course for Unreached Youths typically lasts about eight months with a series of workshops and follow-up activities. These are followed by advanced courses of one year each for those interested.
During the period two core trainings for 96 participants were started, and at least 46 households repeatedly visited for community education purposes.
Due to COVID-19, size of groups and duration of sessions had to be adjusted in conformity with the regulations. We also have taken the opportunity to educate our youths on the new virus and its preventive measurements and provided them with home-made, good quality re-usable masks! 

In its Unreached Youths sub-program KAP aims to enhance its participants’ self-esteem, hope, purpose and resilience for better management of their own lives, especially their improved capacity to choose healthy behaviors. We find that many young people are so disturbed by depression, confusion and pressures in life that they become psychologically traumatized: No longer caring about life. 

The cases below show two beneficiaries who are participating in KAP’s activities since April 2021, and whose lives have already made turns for the better. 

Lucy: “I am a single mother, 21 years old. My troubles started six years ago when my parents separated. With difficulty I completed my high school education and then began a new chapter in life experiences. I got a boyfriend, and after three months I found out that I was pregnant. Fortunately, my friend promised to support me while I was at home with my mother. However, my mother was very bitter about the situation, she tried to force me to have an abortion, but I refused. Then I gave birth to twins.
After the delivery, my mother still didn't want to hear from my boyfriend, and she didn't like my children. She hated my boyfriend, although he supported me as he promised. My mother phoned him, called him names and threatened to curse him. She threatened me with the same if I continued the relationship. I was used as a bad example to my young sisters and brothers when they made mistakes. I therefore decided to cut off communication with my boyfriend and move to my grandmother. However, this prompted my children's father to end our relationship, stop supporting his children and, after three months, marry another girl. I was shocked, depressed, felt hated and didn't know what to do.
The only option that came to my mind was to end my life and that of my children. I bought farm poison. Unexpectedly, however, we received a visit from my cousin; He had problems and was going to stay for a week. Very sadly, he found the pesticides I had hidden in the yard. After two days he committed suicide and died. What a tragedy! I was very shocked and traumatized. I felt incredibly guilty, angry and deeply sorry. Of course, I couldn't tell anyone that I was the one who brought in the poison to kill myself and my children. Out of frustration, I vented my anger at my children.
It was during this confused time that KAP came to work near us. I was allowed to participate and through the training and guidance I became aware of myself and the dangers to which I exposed myself and my family. I began to understand myself better, and learned about all kinds of important facts, developments and values in life. I began to understand that my mother was also transferring her own anger and frustrations of her broken marriage and single parenthood onto us.
KAP's training has taken a heavy weight off my shoulders. I feel healed. I started making choices and I was able to set goals in my life. Also, I now have improved communication with my father. He is willing to support me to achieve my goals.
I was not aware of the nature and depth of my problems before attending KAP's youth workshop in April 2021. Many thanks to the KAP family for this bright spot in my life!” 

Juma: “Out of ignorance, the availability of drugs in the area and the influence of peers, I started smoking bhang’ (marijuana) at the age of 12. I became rude to my teachers and started stealing money and family property for drugs. After four years, I couldn't control my emotions anymore, and became violent. Everyone, including my family at home, became afraid of me and I decided to go to the city and live on the streets. I joined a group of drug addicts and criminals. We did terrible things. We were experts in pickpocketing and raping women and girls. Fighting with the police became our daily routine. One day, however, the police caught us smoking bhang'. In the ensuing fight we wounded one of them and they started firing. A bullet missed me by a hair. I panicked: What should I do now? I decided to go back home where I met my old friends and continued to use drugs. My parents were not happy at all, we were always arguing, were enemies. Then KAP came and invited me and my friend to come to the workshop. We thought we would get money. However, what we got was more valuable. There were moving lessons about drug addiction, HIV/AIDS and life skills, and there was free interaction between the participants. I came to my senses. I felt guilty about what I had done to my mother by hitting her with a chair. Also, my behavior has brought my parents stomach ulcers and high blood pressure. After the training and one-on-one guidance counselling I managed to become human again. I'm working hard to quit drugs, build trust, and improve communication at home. My parents are very touched that I now help them on the farm. I want to become a role model and reach out to others who experience the same challenges of drug addiction.”

• Unreached/Marginalised Youths Activities' Details (PDF)