Kenya Child Protection Program Update

The goal of the Program is to transform communities so they are able to prevent, identify, and respond to cases of female genital mutilation, early marriage, child labor, and other forms of abuse and neglect, while increasing access of vulnerable children to safe, protective education opportunities.

Since the program began on June 1, 2012, World Vision has worked tirelessly in partnership with local communities to create a better life for the 17,000 children of the region. This has led to substantive progress towards each of the three initial objectives:

• Prevent harm
• Protect and restore vulnerable children
• Increase educational opportunities for all children

Prevention – Activities during fiscal 2012 ranged from children being trained as peer educators so they can tell other youth about the dangers of HIV and drugs, to police and local leaders visiting a children’s court, police station, and hospital to learn about resources available to help abused children.

Protection – Law enforcement officers were taught how to handle cases of abuse
in respectful, caring ways that do not bring further trauma to the child victims. Police stations established child help desks, which create welcoming, child- friendly zones for children and their parents who are coming to report sensitive and serious crimes. And communities learned the important role they play in policing abuse in their own villages.

Restoration – Activities included providing school fees so youth could return to the classroom and also supporting vocational training for children out of school.

Now what does this mean on the local level? It means real change!

A Community Empowered Against Abuse

When members of a community met to talk about the importance of their role in policing child abuse, they soon had a chance to put the lessons
into action. Residents joined with the police department and the district children’s office to assist a 7-year-old girl and her family. The girl reportedly was abused by a friend of her father. The suspect was arrested and has been arraigned. Investigations are ongoing. The girl and her family are being supported to ensure they have access to care, counseling, and the legal system. Program staff said the community is working to provide a safe environment for children and has now adopted community policing as a strategy against child abuse.

Thank you so much for supporting World Vision — the Child Protection Project is transforming the lives of children and the communities in North Rift. Your love and gifts are impacting the lives of the children positively.

Once more, thank you for your generous support and may God bless you.