Kilifi: The Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Project, initiated three years ago in Kilifi South, Mavueni, and Mtwapa, is bringing about significant changes in community lifestyle, influencing health, education, and mutual understanding.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative, sponsored by the Community Health Promotion Fund (CHPF) in collaboration with the North Coast Medical Training, has positively transformed the community by fostering a culture of responsibility and assisting in mentoring parents. This project has enabled parents to better understand their duties and rights concerning their children.
Muhammad Shami, a village elder from Mavueni, emphasized the project’s role in bridging the communication gap between parents and children, particularly on previously taboo topics like menstruation. Initially, parental engagement was low, but it has improved significantly, with parents now freely interacting with their children.
The program includes various activities to engage children during their free time, enhancing interactions through school debates and other initiatives. Shami expressed gratitude to CHPF for their contributions, especially the donation of sanitary towels, which has kept girls in school and contributed to a decline in teenage pregnancies.
Leaders and educators, such as Mwanajuma Athman and Amina Juma, have noted the program’s success in training over 200 students and addressing early pregnancies, improving discipline, and boosting academic performance. Community leaders like Pastor Sos P©ter Mutuku and Ustadh Suleiman Katana are committed to sustaining the program’s teachings through religious and community activities.
Parents Saum Said and Khadija Ali praised the program for its positive impact on their children’s studies and behavior, highlighting improvements in hygiene and understanding of rights. The CHPF project has demonstrated the potential for communities to enact meaningful change with proper support, urging continued collaboration to ensure access to comprehensive sexual reproductive health education for all adolescents and youth in Kilifi South.
