Building Programs for Adolescents in Kibera, Nairobi
Council researchers are broadening understanding of the adolescent experience in slum areas of Nairobi, Kenya, and developing context-appropriate programs for them.
The broad goal of this project is to broaden our understanding of the adolescent experience in slum areas of Nairobi, Kenya, and to develop context-appropriate programs for them. Specific objectives include:
- highlighting variations in and dimensions of vulnerability among married and unmarried adolescent girls aged 10–19, residing in slums of Kibera, Nairobi;
- exploring a broad range of the adolescent experience including patterns of and reasons for rural–urban migration; measures of well-being, safety, and support; living arrangements; experience in the home, school, and work; and exposure to existing programs and institutions;
- working with local Kenyan organizations active in Kibera slums in developing programs, including livelihoods programs, that support the most vulnerable adolescent girls; and
The Council’s activities in the informal settlement of Kibera slums in Nairobi are being conducted in partnership with local organizations. Binti Pamoja–Carolina for Kibera has developed a financial literacy curriculum for girls’ groups in Kibera. K-Rep Development Agency has experimented with livelihoods programming and continues to develop new savings and other financial products for girls in slum areas. Family Health Options Kenya and the Kibera Integrated Community Self-Help Programme have recruited and trained women adult mentors to mobilize young people into groups, convey HIV prevention messages, and promote voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services, with referral to subsidized VCT sites. The Centre for Domestic Training and Development targets hard-to-reach domestic workers, providing training and life skills.
The Council is working with these organizations to: (1) provide a picture of adolescence in Kibera in order to inform programming; (2) assist in building the capacity to monitor and evaluate programs; and (3) coordinate joint efforts and assist with developing interventions. In addition, seed grants are being administered to selected organizations in Kibera to undertake specialized programming or pilot-test new approaches to reaching vulnerable girls.
No publications are listed
Project Stats
Location: Kenya (Nairobi)
Program(s):
Poverty, Gender, and Youth
Topic(s):
Financial literacy/livelihoods
Schooling
Urbanization, health, and the environment
Duration: 6/2006 - 5/2009
Population Council researchers:
Annabel Erulkar
James Matheka
Bentinck Ochieng
Non-Council collaborators:
Anne Owiti (Kibera Integrated Community Self-Help Programme)
Caroline Sakwa (Binti Pamoja-Carolina for Kibera)
Edith Murogo (Centre for Domestic Training and Development )
Elizabeth Mukami (K-Rep Development Agency)
Oliver Waindi (Family Health Options, Kenya)
Donors:
Nike Foundation
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