As we anxiously await

Ann Wangoi

Benjamin Muu

So...we're anxious at Hamomi right now. We are awaiting the results of our Class 8 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exam scores. Our 8th Grade kiddos sat for the exam in Nov. and results should be in any minute now. The exam is incredibly difficult and archaic and the only way for an 8th grader to move on to high school. Hamomi's 89% passing rate far exceeds the national passing rate, (sorry I don't have official numbers).

Clyford Muhemmbi

Faith Masitza

But that doesn't make this hurdle any less nauseating. A fourteen year old kid should be allowed to go to high school for nothing more than passing 8th Grade.

For our passing graduates, we are committed to sponsoring them to continue on to private secondary school (high school). It costs $1,000 a year to pay for everything: food, transportation, housing, school,

Harriet Agosa

Hesborn Angwenyi

uniforms, clothes, shoes, medical care, extracurricular activities...the works. Cheap, right?

But then our operating costs do grow every year as we have more and more students graduating and pursuing their higher educations. Our oldest kids just completed their equivalent of sophomore year of high school.

Linet Minayo

Mark Wekesa

 So here we go into three graduated classes, launching ever-closer to that exciting university education (hand-in-hand with that daunting university tuition) that looms large on the horizon.

If a student does not pass the KCPE, we require that student to repeat Class 8 at least once to stay within Hamomi.

Milton Chilali

Patrick Mainga

If they again do not pass the KCPE, we then explore alternative forms of education like technical school, although we strongly encourage them to again repeat Class 8. We have two graduates currently in hairdressing school who are ever eager to finish and move into the working world.

These pic are of the 12 newest grads. Whatever the results, we're

Sebastian Shavola

Trufena Muhonja

so proud of them. They face more than should be asked of a child, and they march on. I'd like to think I'd be as resilient as them had I been born into their situations, but I'm not that delusional. We can't wait to continue supporting them as they head towards adulthood. Send them all your most positive vibes!

Susie

"Panties were flying all around and giggles were a-plenty."

Hi All! 

Below is a post from Mallory Brick, a long time Hamomi volunteer. This is about her second trip to Hamomi where she put on a fabulous girl's health workshop. Great pictures, sweet story and very informative. 

-Susie

More Hygiene at Hamomi Stories...

In August, 2012 I returned to Hamomi to teach a two day workshop on feminine hygiene that was supported by Days for Girls International (www.daysforgirls.org) based out of Lynden, WA. My plan was to teach a lesson on feminine hygiene and provide the girls with supplies for their monthly cycle. 

 

DFG is an awesome organization that creates reusable, sustainable menstruation kits for women worldwide. Girls in developing countries often miss school while menstruating. Not only do the kits allow the girls to stay in school, they also provide the girls an opportunity to take care of their bodies, build self-esteem and understand their basic rights as women in the world. An added bonus of the kits is that they are easily replicated, so they can serve as a foundation for a social enterprise should women who receive them decide to start a business. 

In my workshop I discussed and defined hygiene, puberty, reproduction, pregnancy, sex, STDs/HIV and any topic that was brought up in the anonymous question-and-answer box. Additionally, I conducted a short quiz on the information I provided and spoke about my experience as a young woman during puberty. The girls and women were incredibly interested in hearing about another woman's experience and we definitely had quality "girl time".

At the end of day one, I passed around a "kit" so the 30 girls and five teachers could see and touch the underwear, washcloth, ten pads, two shields and drawstring bag that make up each kit.

On the second day we recapped in English and had a DFG Kenyan representative, Julie, teach the class in Swahili. The girls really took to Julie and I felt the impact of the session was high due to her participation. The girls could ask questions in English and Swahili, and we could answer with accurate and understandable information.

Once Julie finished her lesson it was time to pass out the 100 kits! The excitement was high as we pulled each one out of the huge duffel bags. I started by slowly handing the kits out one by one and the girls carefully examined the pattern of each bag, the color of the underwear and washcloth, and the design of each shield and kit. 

There was an additional woman (friend of a teacher) who attended the class and I was able to give her a regular kit and a post-pregnancy kit to maintain feminine health. 

As we moved on to passing a second kit to each girl, the girls started swapping bags, panties, and washcloths for different patterns they preferred. Panties were flying all around and giggles were a-plenty. The teachers and students each received two complete kits, and the remainder are at Hamomi for future needs. The workshop was an absolute success and the kits were used right away!

-Mallory

Hygiene at Hamomi

Hi All!

Some great new pictures showing off the new faucet! Meghan and Mac Martin gifted this wonderful contraption in October. Hand washing will have a huge effect on our students' health with major disease prevention implications. And the whole thing can be moved inside at night so it won't get stolen. I know that seems silly to stress, but it's a real concern for us when adding nice new stuff. Enough from me - take a peak - a picture is worth a thousand words, right?

Hope you're having a wonderful Holiday Season!
Susie

Oh and don't forget to check these out: http://hamomi.org/project%20links/greeting%20cards.htm. Great holiday gifts.