EmpowerNet Schools
At ZanaA we have a strong commitment to education, especially as it pertains to the girl-child. We realize the unique challenges they face, and with their input create strategic programs to increase their chances at success during school as they move toward graduation. While providing sanitary pads to girls greatly increases the likelihood of them attending school each month, they still lack psychosocial support and strong role models. That is why for the past two years, ZanaA has been running Empowerment Clubs with over 1000 students in the Kibera area. ZanaA field officers meet with groups of 15-20 students- separated by gender whenever possible- and discuss important issues that may not be covered in school or at home including but not limited to: peer pressure, drug use, self confidence/ esteem, relationships, love, and health and disease.
This year we are taking our Empowerment Clubs a step further by adding an IT component to our sessions. We are partnering with the Girl Effect to improve access to technology for adolescent girls by starting EmpowerNet Clubs with 110 girls from the Kibera area in 5 different schools.
Each week girls will continue to discuss issues that impact their lives, but instead of restricting this discussion to the classroom the girls will blog and tweet about these topics. This will give them practice at navigating social media sites, gaining experience with technology and the ability to connect with other girls in the online global community.
At each of the five Kibera schools, a ZanaA field officer will work with 20 girls once a week. These 20 girls are split into groups of four students to create weekly blogs and tweets that are linked to this site (see menu bar to the right and above)
Visiting
We welcome visitors. Schools meet as follows:
- Kikoshep Primary Mon 3.15
- St Cecilia Tues 3.30
- St. Michael Secondary Wed 3.10
- St Juliet Thurs 3.30
- St Michael Primary Friday 3.30
The cost of visiting is $20 (KES 1600) and goes towards program-related costs such as internet. We’ll meet you at our office in Olympic 45 minutes before the start of the club, give you a brief orientation, and walk to the school together. At the Club you will sit with 4 girls in a blogging group and experience the Club together. You will also be invited to introduce yourself to the group and share a bit about your story. After the Club, we’ll bring you back to the office for a cup of tea and to debrief. You can pay us then, and we’ll give you a receipt.
Photos from EmpowerNet Clubs
Check out these awesome picture from day 1 of the EmpowerNet training sessions in early January 2010.
Girls’ Survey
As part of our comprehensive and participatory monitoring and evaluation program, we receive feedback from the students participating in our EmpowerNet program. The following is a comprehensive survey asking girls about our EmpowerNet program from term one.
