Chief Ajwang Foundation intensified its mentorship program and distributed sanitary towels to secondary school girls in Suba North constituency ahead of national exams.
The foundation is undertaking the exercise to make the girls focus on their academics as well as to reduce cases of teen pregnancies associated with violation of their rights.
Suba North is a constituency that borders Lake Victoria and has many beaches and islands in Homa Bay County. There are also many cases of defilement with girls from poor families being most affected.
On Thursday, more than 1,500 school girls were mentored and given sanitary pads through the foundation.
Psychologist Pauline Achieng and mentors Vidah Achieng and Violet Antonio said they are mentoring the girls to overcome social challenges associated with stress and behaviors that interfere with the concentration of young girls during their studies.
Candidates will sit for the Kenya Certificate of Primary School Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary School Education (KCSE) exams next month.
“We want the girls especially those in Standard Eight and Form Four to focus on their revision before they write their exams. Exams are around the corner but this is the time sex pests also take advantage of our vulnerable girls and prey on them,” Pauline, who addressed girls at Ogongo Mixed Secondary School in Lambwe ward said.
The session involved teaching the girls about refraining from sex at an early age, early marriage, the importance of education, and general sex education.
A similar exercise was also undertaken at Osodo, Fr Tilen, and Kiridno Mixed secondary schools.
Pacific Loch (coordinator) was the other official present.
The foundation is also concerned with reducing HIV infection among adolescents. Pauline said they are doing follow-up activities with girls whom they have enlisted for further assistance.
“Retention of adolescent girls in school through mentorship and providing them with sanitary pads are the main objectives of the foundation so they focus on academics,” she added.
Loch said the foundation has donated more than 120 desks to primary schools such as Kombe and Nyamasare. Usungu Primary School has benefited from desks and fencing.
“The foundation is fully sponsoring 103 students at secondary school and university. We worked closely with chiefs and community health promoters to identify the beneficiaries,” Loch said.
Ogongo Secondary School Principal Lawrence Oyamo said the programme is a complement to what the government gives to school girls.
“This is a good programme since it intends to uplift young vulnerable girls academically. Our girls will concentrate on studies and protect them from sex predators,” Oyamo said.