WGEP Senegal adds new support programs for scholars and families

Our Sisters-to-School project in Senegal added an Adult Literacy program for women and a Textbook Library Exchange program for secondary scholars.

The Adult Literacy program, modeled on an existing Kenya program, gives the mothers of our scholars and other women in the community a way to learn literacy skills and participate in empowerment and support sessions.

The Textbook Library Exchange program will help alleviate textbook costs for scholars by allowing them to share several commonly owned copies of otherwise expensive textbooks.

 CLICK HERE to read more about our WGEP project in Senegal.

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263 More Girls Say "No!" to Genital Cutting

WGEP Kenya congratulates our newest “Circumcision With Words” graduates who completed our Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) program and publicly said “No!” to genital mutilation.

Held last December 4-9 in Tharaka, Kenya, the ARP gave 247 more girls the opportunity to participate in empowerment workshops and--with the support of their families and communities-- publicly say “No!” to the culturally-entrenched practice of genital cutting.

This is the most girls to participate in the ARP in any one year!

Like a traditional rite of passage ceremony, the girls were “secluded” for a retreat together with mentors and workshop facilitators to discuss topics on health, relationships, personal decision-making, and empowerment. These workshops , which were held in English, Swahili and Kitharaka--the languages commonly spoken in the region--also explored common misconceptions around health and genital cutting, and provided the girls with a support group as they took a stand against the practice.

On the last day, family, friends and community members gathered together to celebrate the girls and to publicly support their decision against genital mutilation. Speakers and special guests included Nicholas Nyaga, the chief of the village of Gatue, who was the first village chieftain in the region to prosecute a practitioner of genital cutting. Other speakers, including WGEP Kenya Project Coordinator Aniceta Kiriga, emphasized empowerment for girls, decrying other forms of violence against women and encouraging the community to support their daughters’ education.

The ceremony closed with a public declaration against genital cutting, certificates for the graduates, and cake for all the participants and attendees.

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Holiday 2011 Campaign brings in over $13,000

WGEP is pleased to announce that we met our goals for the 2011 holiday season by raising at total of over $13,000 for girls' education!

Many thanks to everyone who contributed during the holidays, especially to our anonymous donors who pledged matching funds.

Happy New Year, and thank you for your support of our this life-changing work!