The Generosity of Girls Fund (TGGF)
This initiative continues to benefit many school-going girls aged between 9 – 13 years, who are victims of sexual exploitation in Mombasa, not forgetting their parents. We continue to empower and build their confidence, and also equip them with knowledge in Feminism, Gender-Based Violence, Hygiene, HIV and Aids, Finance Literacy, Communication skills, Decision-making, Leadership, Self-esteem, Discipline, goal setting and Drug and substance abuse. The mentors engage with them through club meetings, training, education and career talks, football game activities and mentorship. Parental guidance meetings help parents bond with their children as they get to understand the challenges they face in their daily lives, and what they are gaining through mentorship. In 2018, Trace Kenya identified 24 girls aged between 13-18 years who were victims of sexual exploitation. They started mentoring them, giving them hope for a better future, and have not relented. In 2022 Trace Kenya in partnership with Equality Now supported this batch to form a Community Based Organisation (CBO) known as Smart Youth Programme. They now give back to their home communities of Ziwa la Ng’ombe and Bombolulu, by mentoring boys and girls through football and sports for development, which equips them with vital life skills such as accountability, confidence, leadership, teamwork and the impact of positive sportsmanship. Aside from this, it enables them to identify ground rules as part of creating safe spaces for learning and interacting with each other. Within the same year, the CBO identified and recruited 25 girls aged between 9-13 years from Bombolulu, who are susceptible to exploitation.
Milestones
- 25 girls were mentored and sensitized on the prevention of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
- Safe spaces were provided for girls to share their challenges and get timely assistance
- Enhanced girls’ knowledge of children's rights, freedoms, and personal and reproductive hygiene was enhanced.
Case Story
Grace Okoth was rescued from possible sexual exploitation when she dropped out of college due to a lack of fees. She was mentored, given psychosocial support and equipped with skills to better her day to day life. She says: “I yearned to go back and finish my studies. TGGF gave me a second chance and now I have a Diploma in Graphic Design. She continued volunteering at the organization and is now the Project Officer in the same project which rescued and mentored her to be a strong, independent woman. Among other beneficiaries of the TGGF project is Jackline Kioko who is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and human Supply Chain Management at the Africa Nazarene University.“This project has shaped my life; I cannot go back to being the person I was before joining. None can exploit me because I know my rights, I know who I am and I know how I can prevent myself from such cases.” Grace, Beneficiary
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