Reports

Report on the Abiero Girls’ Empowerment (AGE) Holiday Camp Held at Wasamo Girls’ Secondary School and Gethsemane Gardens High School, Mfangano Island from 2nd to 6th December 2024

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Heartfelt gratitude goes to AGE Founder, Liz Abiero, whose visionary leadership and unwavering commitment made the AGE Holiday Camp 2024 a transformative experience for all involved. Her dedication to empowering young girls was the driving force behind the camp’s success. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Friends of AGE and AGE members, including the Safe Club, for their continued support and hard work in ensuring the event’s success.

Special thanks go to the following institutions and individuals for their generous financial and technical contributions: Hon. Sammy Weya, Rachel Odede, Safaricom, KMET, KUCCPS, A360, Homabay County Department of Gender Equality & Inclusivity,  Youth, Sports Talent Development Culture Heritage and Social Services, Homa Bay County Department of Public Health and Medical Services including Girl Champions, Destiny Garden Education Centre, DCC Samson Akach, Chief Kennedy Odari, Assistant Chief Okello, Chief Alice, Community Members: Paul Ololo and Dorothy Olela, DREAMS including the Girl Champions, Auwana Outdoors, Principals and Deputies: Wasamo Girls and Gethsemane Gardens, Headteacher Wasamo Primary, Silas Jakakimba, Mark Matunga, Hon Millie Odhiambo and the EK FM Radio Team. Your support played a vital role in creating a platform for growth, learning, and empowerment for the girls.

INTRODUCTION

The AGE Holiday Camp 2024, held from December 2nd to 6th, brought together 742 girls from Mfangano Island for a transformative experience centered around empowerment and education. With the theme “Embracing My Voice and Potential”, the camp focused on equipping participants with essential knowledge and skills related to their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), whilst fostering personal growth. Through interactive workshops, dialogue, and capacity-building sessions, the camp addressed critical issues such as adolescent pregnancies, sexual and gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS and leadership development, empowering the girls to make informed decisions and become future leaders in their communities. The theme was not just a message; it was a call to action.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUMMARY SUMMARY

The AGE Holiday Camp 2024, held from December 2nd to December 6th, provided a transformative experience for 742 girls on Mfangano Island to learn, grow and connect. The camp took place at two locations: Wasamo Girls’ Secondary School on the island’s remote west side with 329 girls, and Gethsemane Garden High School on the east side with 413 girls. The event aimed to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills to make choices that protect girls’ rights and their future.

Objective of the camp camp camp

The camp sessions were designed to address critical issues and promote empowerment through a comprehensive program:

  • Identity Crisis and Self-Awareness 
  • Teenage Pregnancies, Early Marriages, HIV/AIDS, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) 
  • Story Sharing and Experience Exchanges
  • Open Group Discussions
  • Self-Defence and Negotiation Skills
  • Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management 
  • Educational Films 
  • Sporting Activities 

This camp not only provided crucial knowledge but also created a supportive environment where girls gained confidence, built new friendships, and left with tools to make informed decisions. Through this initiative, the girls are now better prepared to take on leadership roles and be active agents of positive change in their communities. The AGE Holiday Camp 2024 was a significant step in empowering these young girls to realise their full potential and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Talent Shows

The girls participated in talent shows where they showcased their abilities in dance, singing, acting, and modelling. These performances allowed the girls to express their creativity and build self-confidence while celebrating each other’s unique talents. Six girls from each camp were awarded medals for their outstanding performances in different categories, with a total of 12 girls receiving medals for their various talents.

Certificate Awarding

At the end of the camp, each girl was also awarded a Certificate of Empowerment in recognition of their completion of the 5-day AGE Holiday Camp 2024, celebrating their growth and participation and as a symbol of their commitment to empowering themselves and others in their communities and around them.

 

Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management

Health services were provided at both camps, offering vital medical care such as voluntary HIV testing, HPV vaccines for girls aged 10-14 years, and family planning services. These services were crucial in promoting the girls’ health and well-being, ensuring they had access to preventative care and information.

Sports Activities

Physical well-being was promoted through a variety of sports activities, including football, netball, volleyball, basketball, badminton, table tennis, dodgeball, skipping, and hula hoops. These activities not only contributed to the girls’ physical health but also encouraged teamwork, leadership, and cooperation, offering a fun and engaging way for the girls to connect with one another.

CONCLUSION

The AGE Holiday Camp 2024 was a remarkable success in empowering girls to think bigger and become leaders and advocates for change. Through a combination of education, empowerment, and recreation, the camp not only provided the girls critical knowledge but inspired personal growth and self-confidence. Girls learnt that their voices are their most powerful tool – their key to claiming their identity, expressing their dreams and standing tall in the face of challenges. The incredible support and guidance from all the partners made it possible to create lasting change in the lives of these girls.

Moving forward, it is vital to continue providing support to these girls and young women, ensuring they have the tools to make choices that protect their rights, their future, and opportunities to thrive. We encourage continued collaboration from all stakeholders to sustain the momentum generated by the camp and support these girls on their journey to leadership and empowerment.

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