Training & Education
Training & Quality Education
Amplifying Every Voice: For All
Many rural households, resource scarcity often dictates who gets an education. While a son’s schooling has historically been prioritized, girls frequently face significant barriers, including being kept home for chores, caring for younger siblings, or early marriage for a dowry. Yet, the challenges extend beyond gender, affecting various vulnerable groups within the community.
For girls who do make it to school, the journey is fraught with challenges: long, unsafe walks, a lack of sanitary products leading to missed school days during menstruation (“period poverty“), and a shortage of female teachers and role models. Teenage pregnancy often means the end of a girl’s education, closing the door on her future opportunities. For adult women who missed out on education, illiteracy can be a profound barrier, preventing them from accessing information, services, or engaging fully in a modernizing economy.
However, the educational landscape also presents unique challenges for boys and men. While traditional gender roles might favor boys’ education, many still face obstacles such as pressure to enter the workforce early to support their families, lack of male role models in education, or engagement in risky behaviors due to limited opportunities. For widowers, particularly in rural settings, the sudden loss of a spouse can disrupt household stability and economic well-being, indirectly impacting their own access to information or support, and their ability to effectively guide their children’s education. Furthermore, societal expectations around masculinity can prevent men and boys from seeking help or acknowledging vulnerabilities related to their educational needs or emotional well-being.
Action Smiles InterventionÂ
Opening Doors Through Knowledge for Everyone
ACTION SMILES INTERNATIONAL is committed to breaking down every barrier that stands between individuals and their education, and their empowerment through learning. We believe that a stronger, more equitable community is built when everyone has a voice and access to knowledge.
- Keeping Children in School Initiative: We provide comprehensive support packages for vulnerable school-going girls and boys, which may include school fees, uniforms, and textbooks. For girls, we crucially provide reusable sanitary pads and hygiene education to combat period poverty and reduce absenteeism. We also plan to run mentorship programs connecting students with successful individuals in their communities, offering both male and female role models.
- Second Chance Education: For young mothers and fathers who dropped out of school, we advocate for their re-entry into the formal school system and provide support to make this possible. We also explore alternative, flexible learning pathways to accommodate their unique circumstances.
- Adult Literacy and Numeracy Program: We offer functional literacy classes for adult women and men, including widowers, using practical, life-relevant materials. Learning to read, write, and perform basic calculations opens up a new world of possibilities—from reading instructions on a seed packet to managing business records, accessing essential services, or helping children with homework.
- Life Skills and Rights Training: Integrated into all our programs is training on critical life skills, including reproductive health, self-esteem and confidence building, critical thinking, and negotiation skills. This equips everyone to navigate life’s challenges, make informed decisions, and advocate for themselves and their families. We also address specific needs, such as grief support for widowers and positive masculinity for boys and men.
Envisioned Impact
A Community Empowered by Education
An educated girl becomes an empowered woman who marries later, has a healthier family, and earns a higher income. She breaks the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Similarly, an educated boy becomes a more responsible man who is better equipped to contribute to his family and community. When widowers are supported with education and resources, they can better rebuild their lives and ensure their children’s future. Our vision is a community where school classrooms are full of bright, ambitious girls and boys, and where adult women, men, and widowers are equipped with the knowledge to lead lives of dignity, choice, and influence, contributing fully to a thriving society.
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Email: enquiries@actionsmiles.org
Call Us: +254 722 208 806