By Jacinta van Luijk | KAP Coordinator & Education Officer
POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE LIFE OF AN ‘UNREACHED YOUTHS’ COURSE PARTICIPANT
Mary (not her real name) was 15 years old and in Form Two when she started training with KAP in September 2023. It became clear that she was dealing with many difficult problems.
During training and in individual counseling sessions, Mary explained that she grew up as the child of a single mother because her father ran away from the family immediately after her birth. Over time, this fact gradually convinced her that it was her fault that her father left them: she was not wanted, called herself a bad child and the ‘family destroyer’.
When she was 9 years old, her mother having left for work in the market, a neighbour entered the house and raped her. Mary was extremely shocked, and it confirmed her belief that she was evil through and through. She didn't dare share this experience with anyone. Moreover, the incident had affected her bladder and she was unable to retain urine for long.
At the age of 13, she wanted to commit suicide and bought rat poison. However, her sister's footsteps distracted her and she had to hide the poison so that her sister could not realize what she was doing. Since then, she tried to commit suicide two more times in vain, because she saw no need to live.
Impact of the training
The content and approach of the course touched Mary deeply.
During the first days of the workshop, she suddenly fainted, fell to the floor and could barely breathe. When the facilitators administered first aid, she regained consciousness, stabilized and explained to KAP facilitator Hellen that this always happened when she reflected on her life and experiences. Hellen assisted her with great empathy during several one-on-one therapy sessions, while Mary also wanted to continue attending the workshop.
She greatly appreciated hearing from several fellow participants who faced similar challenges and also lived in single-mother households or with their grandmothers. This was the first time the girls shared and learned these facts of life. These are also not given attention at schools, because these are extremely busy completing their tough schedules of covering their 'regular subjects', such as mathematics and so on.
The training turned out to be a great help. The topics about self-awareness strengthened her to share the deeply traumatizing events in her life. This way she was gradually able to understand, accept and give a place to her pain and suicide attempts. KAP also assisted Mary with her visits to the hospital for her bladder/suspected fistula condition. So far the doctor has said that this is treatable with medication, and there is improvement. KAP's follow-up continues.
In the meantime, Mary's self-esteem has improved a lot and she has also become much more assertive: She now dares to speak in front of the group and tackles problems that affect her in a positive way. Her concentration in class is better; she has improved greatly in her school performance and is making plans for her future. She told Hellen that she is happy.
MEASURING OUR RESULTS THROUGH YOUR DONATIONS
KAP is most grateful for the donations it has received!
During this project period these helped to measure the impact and outputs of KAP's work for its Unreached Youths.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
KAP aims at having a solid impression of the results of its work.
This is not easy, especially because our focus is on mental health, bringing with it the challenge of measuring sensitive and hard-to-measure aspects such as 'behaviours', 'happiness', 'self esteem', attitudes and so on.
Recognising that psychological trauma, violence, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and low esteem / lack of hope are interrelated, KAP has designed baseline and evaluation questionnaires regarding 'knowledge', 'attitude' and 'behaviours concerning these topics. An example is attached.
We also keep careful record of all activities that take place and the number, gender and age of those participating.
THE EXAMPLE OF THE BIRUNDA UNREACHED GIRLS TRAINING COURSE
Some 'Outputs' were:
* The 6 days core-training took place from the 11th through the 16th September 2023 with 41 participants at the Revival Church in Bondeni - a highly populated rural area 10 kilometers outside Kitale.
* Continuous Education ('Refresher') Days were 4 with 21 regular participants.
* 7 Action Groups formed with the 41 participants PLUS 12 newcomers held a total of 53 Micro-Meetings (i.e. Group Counselling sessions) / Micro-Teaching sessions, followed by
* 14 Guided Education Sessions during which the 41 trainees passed on their new knowledge on HIV/AIDS, addiction and trauma to 379 additional youths.
* Making of Re-Usable Sanitary Pads and Babies' Nappies: For 6 days between the 7th and the 22nd March 2024
Impact - Outcomes:
To measure the differences the training has made KAP once again asks the participants to fill out the same questionnaire. This is now used for evaluative purposes and takes place just before the Graduation of the participants, about 9 months after their first core-training.
Although still in progress, these Birunda evaluation results show:
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