Empower My Life Training Camp Kicks Off at Sadili Despite Chilly Weather

The long awaited 10-day Empower My Life Training camp for kids organized by Sadili Oval Sports Academy in partnership with Swiss Academy for Development (SAD) officially kicked off on Tuesday, 18^th April 2017 at Sadili Oval grounds in Nairobi. Despite the heavy morning downpour, kids turned up and braved the chilly weather to participate in the camp.

Sadili staff did a commendable job ensuring that all activities of the day were carried out as had been scheduled. This being the first day of the training camp, the better part of the day was spent on registration, familiarizing the kids with what they should expect during the camp, playing fun games, filling in basic questionnaires and colouring body maps.

“The day turned out to be more fun than I had expected. I enjoyed the games, the food and colouring pictures,” remarked 9 year old Bellemy Ochieng’, a std. 3 pupil at Old Kibera Primary school. “I will definitely come back tomorrow and every day until the last day of the camp.”

Even though the targeted number of 400 kids was not attained, the facilitators were happy about how everything turned out. “I am happy that a good number of kids turned up in spite of the cold and unfavourable weather. I’m very hopeful that many more will come as the days go by, and that we will surpass our target number of 400,” remarked Joy Akim, the lead facilitator.

Areas to be covered during this training camp include: 1) Knowledge-transfer about sexual violence, HIV/AIDS and relevant health topics (e.g. hygiene); 2) Understanding of gender equality and 3) Supporting the increase of civil courage (bystander intervention). The camp goes on until Friday, 28^th April before it picks up again in August 2017.

Empower My Life is a sport and play-based, innovative and holistic 16-month prevention program contributing to the fight against sexual violence against girls and boys in Kenyan schools. It targets 200 girls and 200 boys from underprivileged backgrounds, 40 teachers and about 800 family members.