The vocational school HER Lab Kajiado, second chance for women 明天會更好
Many Kenyan women were married and had kids very early. They do not have a chance for education nor any means to make a living. The HER lab has the mission to offer a second chance for women.
We visited one of the HER lab initiatives, a vocational school within driving distance of Nairobi after visiting the boarding school inside of Kibera, the largest slum in Africa.
We were welcomed in the school with a flag raising ceremony and song singing in Helga. The kids were lovely and curious. Afterwards, we joined a group of Kenyan women in a room, listening to their stories. These Kenyan women committed no offence. They married young, raised kids at an age where their American equivalences are still in school. The second chance vocational school taught them vocational skills such as beading, tailoring, so they could make a living. It is not a stereotype, but some married Kenyan men desert their wife, take all the money with them and find other wives. With the training and the support, these women can earn some money and equally important, keep the money. Not only does it help them financially, it gives them confidence and self-esteem. Some women need to take care of young children during the day. To support them, the vocational center has set up facilities to take care of the children, while the women learn new skills. I am so humbled by the courage and strength of these women to break the mold.
The community school HER Lab West Pokot 自强自由之路
This other HER lab is located in West Pokot. We flew from Nairobi to Eldoret. West Pokot is about two to three hours of drive from Eldoret. Our hotel is located next to a rather upscale shopping mall. Overall Eldoret gives us a better impression than Nairobi.
Going from Eldoret to West Pokot, we passed through quite a number of small towns, heading towards the countryside where West Pokot is located.
The welcoming party was impressive to the point of overwhelming. There were like seven hundred people, singing and dancing. They found us and helped us put on a Massai collar and a Massai dress, while they were dancing and singing around us.
After the welcoming party, we toured the facilities, checking out the garden/farm. The girls take pride in their gardens where they grow vegetables and fruits for themselves, and we had tasted some of the produce in our lunch. They also attend the different workshops to learn practical life skills through electrical workshop, plumbing workshop, beading workshop, tailoring workshop, cosmetology, the media workshop and the computer workshop. This is a more established HER lab compared to the other HER lab Kajiado we visited before.
A few girls shared their experiences through their emotional speeches during lunch. It gave us some ideas on the kinds of effort the staff has put together to support the girls.
The HER Lab is not just for the girls, it also serves the community. In the afternoon, we were introduced to the community before joining an outdoor workshop “Know me by my Name: My Name, My Voice, my Power” for the women of different ages. The topic was about financial freedom. We sat in a circle, with two school-age girls as facilitators. The participants shared their experience about their saving habits, their businesses, and ways they would like to improve. I did not speak their languages, one girl translated. In spite of the language barrier, I felt their energy, their hope and their happiness for the future.
Three projects (Kibera, Kajiado, West Pokot) on three days. It is energizing to experience the rays of hopes from the girls and women.
Next: Ambroseli National Park (Safari)
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