Train 120 Health & Human Rights promoters in Kenya

We have the pleasure to share with you that during the Month of October 2015, the HFAW health and human rights promoters had a rare opportunity to showcase their work to high level global photographer Richard Lord (www.rlordphoto.com), Thanks to the support from the United Methodist Women International Ministries and you. Women were able to showcase some of their economic activities, outreach activities in the shopping center and early pregnancy interventions at St Anne Academy.

Richard took photos as women did outreach to the people in the shopping center and shared information and brochures on FGM. It is so inspiring to witness the women and men talk to the people at the center on the importance of eradicating female genital mutilation/cutting. Kwamboka, who was one of the women in the shopping center who received information shared that “for a long time I never thought that anyone was able to end FGM in Kisii but now seeing how dedicated the educators are I know it will end.” Kwamboka made a request to join the group and be trained as well. We have a long list of women and men waiting to be trained as health and human rights promoters. This just inspires the women on as Joyce shared…”This work has made me realize how important I am in this village; before this work began I didn’t know that people could listen to me.”

Richard had also a chance to interact with the health and human rights promoters about their interventions around issues of gender based violence and the popular education methods which they use. They also had a chance to showcase their educational skids to the youth at St Annes Academy where they are raising awareness to help the children be aware of the dangers of early pregnancies, and their rights as youth and places to report perpetrators. The health and human rights promoters discussed with the teachers who joined the students and one teacher said “we need you to come back; as you can see the students are very interested.” The school head teacher also expressed interest in health promoters going back to do more. “This issue(early pregnancies) is a crisis, she said.

Richard then interviewed some of the participants in the interventions and said he liked “the women’s enthusiasm in doing this work.” Upon arrival back in US Richard wrote about his experiences with us (the women and HFAW staff) saying that we“… were definitely in the top 5 in my 25 years of doing this work. The depth and insight that you provided are very rare when working with development/health etc agencies.” He shared that the product he is developing from the interactions will be out in July August 2016 and we will definitely share with all of you who have been behind this work.

We are in real need to expand the methods and interventions and deepen our work. We are challenged by our limited resources and we are working very hard to overcome this challenge. Your contributions have made such a huge difference and our partnership with the Methodist Women have been of enormous importance. We want you to know that we value your advice and your contributions. Please Make a donation and talk to your friends, family and networks about HFAW and your role in bringing us this far.

Again, thank you so much for your contributions and support.