Power of Synergy
Before 2023 comes to an end, we are super excited to have been part of this super exciting campaign- Safe teen, Brighter future.
The recent “Safe Teen, Brighter Future” football championship marked a significant milestone in youth engagement in reducing new HIV infections and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This was not just a sports competition but a comprehensive community engagement effort addressing critical issues such as teen pregnancies, gender-based violence, and HIV prevention in Kisumu led by Health and Economic Development Strategy Organization (HEDSO)
The Main objectives are:
1. To build a brighter future free from teen pregnancy, SGBV, and drug abuse.2. To create awareness on HIV prevention and offer testing services.
3. To sensitize the community on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), youth economic empowerment, and mental health.
Officially launched at Nyangoma Primary School in Nyando sub-county, the football championship unfolded across different areas in Nyando sub-county and Muhoroni sub-county, and parts of Nyamira and Homa Bay counties. It featured an impressive participation of 34 male teams and 20 female teams from various regions. The competition brought together best teams to the finals, where the top three teams were honored.
Beyond the matches, the event offered essential services to the community, including cervical cancer screening, HIV testing, distribution of condoms, and free consultation services. Much regards to different stakeholders who were part of it as this approach aimed to address not only the immediate challenges but also promote overall community well-being.
As Eagle Wings, we played a pivotal role in empowering and educating youths during the championship. Focused on raising awareness, our team addressed issues like the “Triple Threat” among adolescent girls, drug abuse, and menstrual hygiene management. Collaborating with partners, we reached 2000 people, providing information and services, with a total service uptake of 1356. We believe Informed yout
h are crucial drivers of positive change and sustainable development in any country. By imparting knowledge and addressing such critical issues, we pave the way for a brighter future.
The football finals held at Nyangoma Primary School were not just a celebration of talent but also a testament to the success of the community engagement initiative. The positive response from the community reflected their appreciation for being included in such impactful activities. The community expressed a desire for more engagements, recognizing the potential to share problems and work towards a better tomorrow.
All this was a success thanks to different partners on board i.e. HEDSO,ZIPLINE,TINADA,SHOFCO,NAIROBITS,The white ribbon alliance, COME Initiative, YWCA, SHE Leads, GREDA, META Kenya and more.
By Bright Owuor.
