Ganze Girls Education
In Kenya’s Kaloleni district nearly 80% of girls drop out of high school. This is double the drop out rate of boys from the same district.
Similar to neighboring countries in East Africa Kenyan girls face numerous barriers that lead to high drop out rates.
Girls feel the burden of HIV/AIDS most severely - when a family member falls sick girls are the sole-caregivers. They also face early marriage, high teenage pregnancy rates and rampant child labour because of poverty.
Many Kenyan schools lack basic infrastructure such as girl-friendly sanitation facilities. Classrooms are dilapidated and dormitories are overcrowded.
For example, at Kaloleni district’s Ganze Girls School there are 305 students but room for only 150 in the school dorms – leaving 155 students commuting 20 – 30 kilometers everyday.
Student meals are prepared under a tree because there is no kitchen or dining space. There is also no library or science lab.
Access to water and sanitation facilities at Ganze Girls School is also difficult.
There are only 6 toilets and no bathing facilities. The only water source is unreliable and untreated which leaves the students vulnerable to serious water-borne diseases.
Education Brings Better Health
The connection between girls education and improved community health is undeniable.
When girls graduate from high school child mortality, fertility and malnutrition rates are all reduced. There are fewer early marriages and HIV infections.
Education also promotes peace, social development and equity – it is an integral part of empowering people out of poverty and towards healthier lives.
AMREF is
Working in partnership with the community and the school’s Parent-Teacher Association to improve infrastructure and achieve better health.
Specific activities include;
- Building 4 classrooms, a library, a science lab, a dining hall and kitchen, 2 dormitories, 2 toilets blocks (with 5 stalls each) and washing facilities and 3 water storage tanks
AMREF will also provide training and education to students on; malaria prevention, sexual reproductive health, and personal hygiene and sanitation.
The project will limit absenteeism, improve girls’ health and enable them to reach their full potential as students and community leaders.
Major Project Funders:
Ganze Girls’ Education is a project supported by the generosity of AG Hair Cosmetics' CEOs John and Lotte Davis. Find out more about other SCHOOL:girls initiatives here.
Find out more about AMREF's work in;
Ethiopia
South Africa
Southern Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda