TESTIMONIALS

“My name is Boniface, a Community Health Worker dedicated to serving the youth in our schools and the wider community of Migori. I am writing to share the profound impact that your School-Based Health Campaign on Sexual, Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) has had, not just on the students, but on my own ability to serve them effectively.

For years, my work was met with closed doors and silent embarrassment. Trying to discuss SRHR topics with young people was challenging because of the deep-seated stigma and cultural taboos. I knew the information was critical, but I often lacked the specific tools and approaches to make these conversations effective and welcoming.

The Community mobilization and communication skills training and support provided by K-PEN has been invaluable. It equipped me with modern, relatable, and youth-friendly methods to communicate about sensitive SRHR issues like menstrual health, contraceptives, and healthy relationships. I gained not just knowledge, but practical skills.

I am witnessing a real change on the ground. The wall of stigma that once surrounded these topics is beginning to crumble. I now walk into schools like Osingo Mixed Secondary and into community gatherings and feel an energy shift. There is open and informed talk where there was once only silence. 

Young people are now approaching me with SRHR questions, seeking clarification, and sharing their concerns without the same level of fear or shame. This open dialogue is the first and most crucial step towards positive change.

I am seeing a growing willingness among youth to make informed choices on their health and futures. The campaign has not only educated them but has also legitimized these conversations, making my role as a health worker so much more productive.

You have empowered a frontline worker. You have amplified my voice and given me the tools to be a more effective agent of change. By investing in both the youth and those of us who serve them, you are creating a sustainable ecosystem of health and knowledge that will benefit Migori for generations to come. This is true poverty elimination in action.”

“My name is Risper, and I am the coach of Havard FC, a ladies' football team in Suna East, Migori County. On the field, we train to win matches. But off the field, my mission is to win at life. That is why the work of K-PEN through the "Sports for SRHR" Program has been nothing short of transformative for my team.

In our community, young women and girls face immense challenges. Before this partnership, I saw how a lack of accurate information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) was a major obstacle holding them back. They had questions about their bodies, their health, and their futures, but had no safe space to ask them.

The football pitch has become that safe space. K-PEN’s innovative approach of using sports as a vehicle for SRHR education is a game-changer. We seamlessly integrate crucial discussions about menstruation, healthy relationships, contraception, and self-esteem into our training sessions. The girls are already in a comfortable, team-oriented, and empowering environment, which makes them more receptive and open to learning.

The confidence they build by tackling opponents on the field is the same confidence they now use to tackle misinformation and peer pressure. They are no longer shy. They speak up, ask questions, and correct each other's myths with facts. I have witnessed a new sense of agency and ownership over their lives. They understand that controlling their health is as important as controlling the ball.

This initiative has done more than just disseminate information; it has built a sisterhood of informed, empowered young women who support each other. They are not just better athletes; they are better equipped to make decisions that protect their dreams and their futures.

K-PEN, you have recognized that a girl with knowledge is unstoppable, you have reached these young women and girls  in a way that a teacher never could. You have helped me coach champions for life, not just for football. Thank you for believing in the power of sports to create real, lasting change.

 How K-PEN's School Based SRHR Campaign Changed My Life 

“My name is Scovia from Osingo Mixed Secondary School. I am a proud beneficiary of your School-Based Health Campaign on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and I want to share how this program has been a turning point for me and my peers.

Before your visit, topics like menstruation, contraceptives, and navigating youth life were clouded with myth and fear. Your campaign replaced the myths with facts, and gave me confidence to share my experience.

Here is what changed for me:

• On Menstrual health and hygiene: You taught us that menstruation is not a curse or something to be ashamed of, but a natural and healthy part of life for every girl. We learned about proper hygiene management, which has boosted my confidence and allowed me to attend school without anxiety or interruption. The stigma is gone, replaced by understanding.
• On Contraceptives: We learned that contraceptives are not just for family planning but are crucial for health and responsible life choices. Most importantly, you taught us that they are a tool for empowerment, allowing young people to plan their futures before starting a family. This knowledge is a shield against early pregnancies and school dropped-out.
• On Youth Life: You didn't just give us biological facts; you taught us about consent, setting personal goals, building healthy relationships, and resisting peer pressure. I learned that my body is my own, and I have the right to make informed decisions about it. This has given me the courage to focus on my studies and my ambition to become a nurse one day.

K-PEN, you have done more than just eliminate ignorance; you have equipped us with the tools to eliminate poverty from our own lives. By investing in our health and knowledge, you are investing in a generation of focused, educated, and empowered future leaders.

Thank you for giving us the greatest gift of all: the power to shape our own destinies.”