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Norfolk charity helps Kenyan girls stay in school

Sage in Kenya CF
A charity, founded by Norfolk Christians, is helping girls in Kenya complete their education by providing sanitary towels so they can attend school throughout the month.


Sage in Kenya ‘Supporting African Girls in Education’ is a registered UK charity with a specific aim of keeping girls from poor areas of Kisumu and Busia in Kenya, in school during their periods by raising funds to supply sanitary towels and underwear, thus helping them reach their full potential.
 
Sadly, for many girls in Kenya, the reality is that every month they stay at home during their periods. Their families struggle to clothe and feed them, leaving no surplus money for basics such as sanitary towels. The only solution is for the girls to use pieces of blanket, rags or even bits of old foam mattresses. Not surprisingly, absenteeism is very high resulting in girls receiving up to 25% less schooling than boys.
 
Norfolk Christians Dave and Lesley Pearson, Sarah and Gerald Barnes and Bruno Peek are the trustees of the charity which currently helps 800 girls in 16 schools. James Osteen Bosse [pictured below] administers the project locally; he visits the girls at their schools to provide them with sanitary towels and underwear. In each school he implements a structured teaching programme which engages the girls on their personal development and future health and well-being.
 
Sage in Kenya2Sarah, who is based in Dereham said that when she first heard about the problem, the solution to provide the girls with sanitary protection was obvious , she said, “the fix isn’t rocket science. It’s a simple idea with profound consequences.”

For the first time ever this year 100% of the girls sat their end of year exams – meaning they can progress to the secondary school.

Sarah, who visits the project every year, said, “Education is the way out of poverty. This initiative means that girls will stay in school.”

SAGE welcomes financial support to the project. All supplies are purchased locally. £2 a month provides one girl with supplies and education from the project  for one month.

For more information about SAGE in Kenya visit http://sageinkenya.co.uk/ or contact dave@sageinkenya.co.uk
Follow them on Twitter @sageinkenya and on Facebook www.facebook.com/sageinkenya

 

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