THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD, 16TH JUNE 2023

Today, as of May 2022, there were about 590 million users (43% internet penetration) in Africa. Kenya's internet penetration rate stood at 32.7% of the total population at the start of 2023. As the spaces on social media keep opening, we keep on exposing our children to greater risks that will violate their rights. We do not have clear regulations and mechanisms that control various social media platforms. For instance, children's access to contents on tiktok, facebook, instagram, whatsapp, you tube and internet looks attractive to young people and they are glued by the technological innovations. The young are also more knowledgeable than their caregivers and this puts them at more risk. There is need therefore for the government to enrich policy and policy agencies to ensure that child protection is guaranteed. Otto Benecker Foundation, joins other partners on 16th June to celebrate the Day of the African child in the digital era and offers suggestions for more enhanced protection of young children by our duty bearers. Nairobi County celebrations will be conducted at Mathare special school, and it brings together over 50 partners. Nairobi Cluster (Otto Benecker Foundation, Imarisha Kenya and Kreative Generations) will enhance voices of our adolescents by encouraging them to speak out to the world through magnet theatre, dances and public speaking.

 Otto Benecker Foundation together with Aga Khan University are now partnering in a mental health program with public schools in which mental health literacy trainings are on-going. In a recent pilot conducted at Ndurarua High School in Dagoretti in March for six weeks 2023, adolescents learned about mental health stigma, myths, Teen brain, how the brain and the body are interrelated, and mental states levels. 

 Otto Benecker Foundation, together with Kasarani Sub-County are planning International day of the African Girl Child, whose theme this year reads "Out time is now, our rights our future" celebrated 11th October will be celebrated on 15th October 2022 at st. John Catholic Church, Korogocho. Participating stakeholders include: Kasarani sub-county DCS, Otto Benecker Foundation, Slum Child Foundation, Germany doctors, Shift4Chnage, DSW, Sickle cell foundation, Inuka Kenya, child space foundation, legacy education center, Panairobi, Pamoja Initiative, mathare child fund, pamoja Tushinde. 

 October 10th 2022 was world mental health open day. Otto Benecker Foundation, together with Dagoretti sub-county health committee, Aga Khan University (AKI), Calmind Foundation, Basic Needs, Street Talent Africa, Shamir Foundation among other participated in the event attended by over 300 people. The event graced by Senator Kasanga, stressed on the needs for making mental health a priority by funding adequately, equipping hospitals with personnel on mental health and entrenching preventive and promotive mechanisms. Otto Benecker Foundation shared its strategies that had worked including: peer to peer dialogues in safe spaces, soccer clinics as promoter of good health and spaces for dialoguing and magnet theatre as an advocacy tool for behavior change communication. 

CRVPF - Adolescent Girl's Power Project (AGPP) 2020/2022

 A two day convention at the Methodist Resort on 3rd and 4th August brought together national partners in Kenya from Kilifi and Nairobi. Nairobi cluster comprising of Otto Benecker Foundation, Imarisha Kenya and Kreative generations together with Kilifi Cluster (Pad aDad, Safe community). This was an engagement that brought about cross-learning, benchmarking and positioning for opportunities. 

Girl mentors from various 20 safe spaces (Mathare 4A) Nairobi and 6 from kilifi communities showcased best practices. In the concluded convention, participants learned that; girls had gained self confidence in their safe spaces, gained knowledge on life and vocational life skills and increased voices and taking up of action at community duty bearers. 

Girl mentors sharing their own safe spaces experiences across kilifi and Nairobi.

Support from local children's and chief's offices and county ministries were lauded for successful acceptance of the project. 

LET'S POWER OUR YOUTH - GIRLS AND BOYS

 Empowering by enablement through life, vocational skills and talents is a sure way of changing lives.

Youth appreciate and embrace theatre as an expression tool.

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Medical Camp, conducted on 26th-29th October 2021 at Oloibortoto Location Kajiado, Nguruman Community. 

In the recently completed medical camp, Otto Benecker Foundation and other partners uniting under Afya Bora Mashinani umbrella organized a medical camp which saw 354 people attended to on 28th and 29th October 2021. The event brought together the County government's office, Kajiado MOH, Imarisha Kenya, Rays of Care Kenya, Karura Youth Sports Association and other local stakeholders. The network organized a

medical camp in Kajiado West County, Ngurumani village Olibortoto location. The

network brought together various stakeholders from the community including the

County Government Medical team, (MOH) and governors’ office, Karura Youth

Association (KYSA), Real Pharmaceuticals and Range Chem. Oloibortoto, 

Main conditions that were treated included: Hypertension and diabetes, arthritis and back pains, mumps and otitis media, Gastroenteritis, fungal infections, Upper respiratory tract

infections, UTIs and COVID 19 vaccinations. 

                       In the Photo, Area chief, oloiboroto location officially opens the medical camp on behalf of the deputy governor, Kajiado County, 28th 2021. 

Local committee chairman, addresses the congregants at Nguruman village, during the launch.

Oloiborototo secondary school girls who benefited from some of the life skills training and sanitary towels on 29th October 2021

Afya Bora Mashinani Chairman and Otto Benecker Foundation CEO John Chavasu, addresses the congregants during the launch on 28th October 2021

Area chief during a tree planting session on the 28th October 2021