Alone and scared, countless young women around the world are at risk of exploitation
In many parts of Kenya, an already challenging situation is made worse due to extreme poverty: a severe lack of food, shelter, education and employment.
Young girls trying to make a living are easily trapped into prostitution and sexual exploitation. Vulnerable and destitute, many are orphans or come from abusive relationships at home. And local social services offer little in the way of support. So it’s our responsibility, as a Church, to be a voice for the voiceless.
With your support, the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi are that voice.
Empowering girls
The Cardinal Maurice Otunga Empowerment Centre for Girls aims to rehabilitate and empower girls from the streets and slums of Nairobi. Social workers move about the community, identifying those in greatest need. These girls are then encouraged to abandon their life on the streets. They have the opportunity of an education and skills training at the Centre.
The Sisters care for up to thirty female students at a time, aged between fourteen and twenty years. Many of the girls have never been to school, so they learn English, reading and writing.
Looking to the future
The Sisters also help the girls regain their self-worth and self-respect. They nurture them and teach them skills such as housekeeping, nutrition, sewing and knitting.
After two years of training these young women are able to earn a living with their newly acquired skills. Some go on to work in tourism, hospitality and catering while others work as seamstresses in factories or in their own small businesses.
The Assumption Sisters continue to look out for the girls for two years after they have left the Centre to ensure they stay on their feet in the outside world. They hope and pray that through their newly acquired skills, they will stay economically independent and not end up back on the streets and in the slums of Nairobi.
Please keep the Assumption Sisters and their vital work in your prayers. Find Missio prayer resources here.
Please donate so we can continue to provide help where it’s most needed around the world.
This story first appeared in Mission Today Summer 2018 edition.