Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners - March 2012 | Hungry For Life
Team:

Ending Violence Educators

March 2012:
Seje
,
Kenya

A team of 11 people from the lower mainland traveled to the community of Seje in western Kenya in April to facilitate community education workshops on sexual violence. The team consisted of women who work either within the Abbotsford Regional Hospital, the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program or are connected to someone who does. The SANE (Sexual Assualt Nurse Examiners) team prepared educational material for primary school aged children on the topics of self-worth and self-esteem with the goal of encouraging them to treat themselves and each other well. The team also facilitated a two day seminar for local communities to address the issues they felt were contributing to the prevalence of sexual assault in their communities. The team also helped build a room at a school in the community of Seje.

Read the trip blog.

Community projects: 
His Blessings School
Additional items accomplished: 
  • 2 day seminars completed in the community of Boro and Kakamega
  • 110 community leaders attended the community sessions
  • 3 primary school education sessions completed in the communities of Siaya, Boro and Kakamega
  • 1200 children attended education sessions
  • 1 teacher’s lounge completed at Seje School
  • 70 packs of washable sanitary towels with underwear distributed to menstruating women and girls
  • Attended the first annual International Women’s Day celebration in Siaya alongside 1000 women from the district
  • Distributed 1000 “I believe I am strong” bracelets to men, women and children in the centres of Boro, Siaya and Kakamega
  • Distributed 650 perfume sticks to men and women in the centres of Boro, Siaya and Kakamega
  • Provided buckets for 9 girls at Mukumu children’s home with individual wash buckets

Team Testimonials:

“[One highlight I experienced on this trip was] the smiles of the children despite their poverty, illness and other vulnerabilities.”
“[One highlight I experienced on this trip was] the pure joy of the young ladies in school that were presented with pads, allowing them to stay in school during their periods.”
“[This trip has impacted me and] I feel uplifted by the faith expressed by these wonderful people that God will provide.”
“[This trip has impacted me and] prior to this trip I had shut my emotions behind a wall, now I smile more, cry more, and learned to express and feel joy.”
“[The experiences of this trip] have shocked me in many ways, but I have realized that there is more at home that I can do to help.”
“[The experiences of this trip have] made me realize how much non essential material things I have when there are so many starving children in the world, it will make me re-evaluate my lifestyle.”
“[The event that deeply affected me was] the huge difference that one person can make.”
“[The aspect of the trip that deeply affected me was] meeting Momma Grace – she is such an inspiration. She is such a strong and courageous woman giving up so much to take care of the orphans.”
“[One thing I am going to change in the next six months is] re-evaluate my finances to see how they can be used with more impact.”
“[One thing I am going to change in the next six months is] to help make others aware of the situation I’ve witnessed in Kenya, especially the needs at the orphanages.”