The Girls’ Empowerment Project (GEP) is our alternative education program that allows participants to access education and livelihood opportunities, learn about their human rights, and to cultivate leadership skills.
The specialized alternative education curriculum includes various learning tracks of literacy and basic math, English, and Swahili courses. It is based on the Kenya Department of Education's Non-Formal Adult Education Guidelines. There are four levels that correspond with formal primary school grades 1-8. The final level prepares participants for the Kenya Certificate for Primary Education (KCPE).
Trainings on health, human rights and peace building, leadership, and community resources are structured in a way so girls gain self-confidence and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. Topics include sexual and reproductive health, sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response, HIV/AIDS prevention, peace building, leadership and human rights, and community collaboration.
In this twelve-month tailoring course, participants gain skills in hand and machine stitching, measuring and cutting of fabrics, stitch technique, and sewing. There is a possibility of entering our social enterprise upon graduation. Participants also receive a small stipend to jumpstart their savings and transition into independence.
In our social enterprise participants design, create and manage a line of unique, hand-dyed fabrics and other textiles. By saving their earnings, members of the artisan collective are able to pay their own rent, feed their families, cover household expenses, and eventually launch their own successful businesses.
Early Childhood Development Center
Without the support of their own families and community, young mothers are in need of a necessary support system to help them develop confidence and knowledge as mothers. RefuSHE supports over 60 infants and toddlers of young mothers in our programs, including children who have serious disabilities. The presence of this childcare program enables mothers to attend their education courses on site while also attending to their children throughout the day.