EMPOWERMENT

The critical sub-areas of skills development and growth that come under empowerment that must be addressed include the following:

Empowerment includes many sub-areas of skills development and growth, such as:

Fit-Me-In focuses on Education and skill development, Literacy and technology programs, Economic empowerment, Self-help groups and projects, and Leadership skills.

Education and skill development

The strategy of getting to know each family and involving them in the learning process through an individualized empowerment program is demonstrated by the positive outcomes documented in these testimonies. Fit-Me-In is proud to let the families tell their success stories in their own words and language, as part of their empowerment success.

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Rachael, Anne, Alisia and Seth

Meet three siblings. Rachel, Ann, Musavi, and, later, younger brother Seth have been pioneer mentees with Fit Me In since its inception. FitMe- In is proud to have immersed them in the full range of empowerment initiatives that amplify the lives of underserved communities

Fit-Me-In has paid the school fees for these 3 girls and their young brother to attend Elementary school. They live on three-quarters of a farm, practice subsistence farming, and live in two-bedroom, permanent, tin-roof houses. FitMe-In has mentored these girls and their family since early childhood.

Sharleen Shipiti

Meet Sharleen Shipiti, a schoolgirl who has faced constant poverty and family tragedy throughout her childhood. Her family lives on just 1/8 of an acre in a small two-bedroom house, which has often been the site of accidents. Thanks to the support of Fit-Me-In and its initiative to reconnect families with their communities, we were able to build a safer, better house to prevent future fire hazards. Despite these hardships, Sharleen has remained determined to excel in school. As the youngest and only child, we at Fit-Me-In are proud and excited to celebrate her upcoming graduation. Her family of eight, now living in a larger, safer house, has been transformed by our support, which has emphasized the importance of space and shared education.

Rachael Lulia

Introducing Rachael Mukhwana, on her journey toward success! She is a pioneer mentee of the FitMe-In Girl Child program. Rachel and her sibling have benefited from school-fee support since elementary school; now she is pursuing a degree in nursing.

Judy Kavayi

Here is Judy and her success story. I met Judy in 2023. She had dropped out of the University in her second semester. Her Dad had disowned her for becoming pregnant. Judy ended up marrying the father of her child, who happened to be supportive and loving of his new family. With three children, one year apart, in elementary school, Judy needed a computer to generate income. Only sh5,000 (USD40-USD43) was what she asked for. But she had no skills or work experience. Neither did she know where to go for classes. Judy’s case is a perfect example that girls in rural Kenya are deprived of education when they become pregnant while in school. That is when FitMe-In suggested she enroll in the Virtual Assistant program at Udemy in the USA. FitMe-In assumed responsibility for all her coursework and coached her on career options that aligned with her new skills. Judy is now a proud Virtual assistant working from home while taking care of her kids. She wanted to tell her story in her own words. Read on.

Annet Musati

Annet stayed home after high school with no opportunities. She needed a career coach to help her identify her next steps. Without funds to pay her basic needs, she was depressed. I helped her obtain a cellphone and a computer so she could sign up for Udemy University classes. She now has her own business.

Patrick Lun'gafa

After Patrick graduated from Kenyatta University, he remained unemployed for four years. He was a youth leader, but he couldn't find a job because of the student loans he owed. Patrick asked me to help him edit his writings on linguistics and anthropology. I coached him on improving his writing and referred him to Udemy. Today, Patrick is a farmer, a community activist, and a youth leader, and he hopes to publish linguistic research.

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Literacy and technology

Empowerment through literacy and technology prepares individuals to obtain knowledge and make informed choices to overcome poverty.

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Festus and Rosa Home Library

Literacy was hindering their economic advancement due to limited formal education. To address low literacy levels, we established a home library. To find books that sparked their interest, I asked them to identify what they enjoy doing and talking about. Festo's background as a pastor made religious books a priority. His daughters were interested in mysteries, novels, and romance. Later books on personal development were added. Slowly, we have introduced Nonfiction and historical fiction, including encyclopedias. Their English and writing have improved substantially. They have moved some of their favorite titles to their bedroom, making it convenient for them to pick a book and read it together. Rosa, whose reading skills were comparable to those of a 3rd grader, is competing to read. To read at her husband’s level, Fit-Me-In has expanded its literacy program by establishing a library at Festus Church with materials across genres for all ages. The presence of a library in the church has attracted youth who, every Sunday, fill what used to be empty seats in the church. They come to read.

Violet Musimbi

Meet Violet, who had no formal education. Her highest education was grade three, and she could not spell or write her own name. When I met her, Violet had an old flip phone. She depended on others to write or read messages on her phone. Fit-Me-In found domestic work where she could earn sh5000 ($40) to purchase a smartphone. We taught Violet how to perform basic tasks on her phone, such as managing contacts, accessing Google, and using her M-Pesa Banking account. As her literacy grew, she was better able to manage her financial activities in a more secure manner.

Silas Ambetsa

Meet Silas, 23, the youngest teacher at Makololwe Secondary School, where he graduated. His subject specialties are math, chemistry, and physics. Silas’s story is marked by challenges, but he is a survivor with self-determination and a natural community leader. He dropped out of college after earning high marks on the National Exams to support his sister in finishing high school. Fit-Me-In chose Silas as the inaugural recipient of the Leadership Award at Makololwe School because, despite a difficult youth, he has dedicated himself to helping others by tutoring students in science and math while pursuing his dreams of returning to college and gaining greater proficiency in technology. Silas exemplifies the spirit of Fit-Me-In not only for technical literacy but also in educational development, community involvement, and leadership.

Festus explains use of phone and computer

Home Libraries

Encouraging families to start a small home library with a variety of books (fiction and non-fiction). Text story and photos. (find out what they like to do – a pastor – Bible – teens (novels, stories). Resources – used bookstore in Nairobi – buy a bundle of 30 books for sh2000 ($10). Also, encyclopedias are good for building knowledge.

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Economic empowerment

Individuals can achieve greater independence and financial stability by increasing access to resources, acquiring skills, and identifying opportunities.

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Well Digging

This video shows how a well is dug using traditional tools. A counterweight then helps lift the full bucket with little effort, allowing the water to be poured into ditches for fields. Ancient origins: Invented around 3000 BCE in ancient Sumer, crucial for Nile Valley farming.

Building the base of the solar water tank

After a well is dug, a water tank is built to allow the solar pump to fill a large water tank. This is the base of the tank.

water tank filling containers

Water from the storage tank fills up water containers used for cooking, drinking, and bathing.

Harun irrigating

This video shows how the solar well/tank can be used to irrigate a shamba (farm).

Water well Happiness

The family celebrates the new well and water tank.

Solar Well

Water in rural Kenyan villages for drinking, cooking, cleaning and bathing is a challenge. The burden falls on rural women who have to carry it from wells or streams, sometimes several kilometers and over steep hills. Installing a solar well benefits everyone.

Base of the solar water tank

Solar well for irrigating

Mildred Muhonja story

When I met Millie, she was deeply depressed. She asked me if I could support her. First, she needed basic support - food and rent for six months. From there, she'll tell you her story.

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Self-help groups and projects

Individuals can empower themselves through self-help groups to realize projects that improve their lives.

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Table Banking

These women have been in abusive relationships or are widows. Through my friend Anne, I asked her to form a table banking group to help raise funds for small business initiatives. The 5 members agreed to contribute sh500 monthly. As an incentive, I decided to pay sh1,500. One project involved buying a hatchery, and each member received a portion of the chicks hatched. The group was called Sindikiza, which means escorting someone to their destination.

Violet & husband table banking

Violet and several others set up a table banking group. Some used the funds for school fees, while others used them for small projects.

Impact of Technology

Transitioning from kerosene lamps and charcoal to sustainable solar power.

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Community Involvement and Leadership Skills

Despite poverty and remote living conditions in rural areas, leadership skills can empower individuals by fostering self-awareness, improving understanding of others, nurturing talent, and communicating effectively within the entire community. Through strong leadership, community involvement is more likely to be successful.

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Awards on School Recognition Day

Makololwe is an underfunded community school (non-government funded). Basic school resources, such as books, writing notebooks, and meals, are unavailable. Later, to recognize academic achievement, kids who showed improved grades and leadership were identified. Absenteeism has been reduced substantially.

Providing sweaters to students at Makololwe School

Some students were missing classes at Makololwe School because they lacked sweaters as part of the uniform. Others had torn sweaters. We offered new sweaters to the students with high absentee rates.

Makololwe Students – Brilliana, Maximila, and Ida

Due to funding constraints, students who are eager to learn and highly intelligent may be affected for a lifetime. Fit-Me-In is committed to assisting economically disadvantaged students at Makololwe School by providing help with school fees, mentoring, and tutoring. Here are some of our recipients who were found at home because they did not have the required sh4,000 (about $35), leaving them behind their peers. One of these girls was the top student in her class and blossomed again when she returned to school. Another girl was living alone due to severe poverty that broke apart the family. These are kids who come to school hungry, which hampers their learning.

Empowerment Camp Makololwe Secondary

Through the Shepherd of Integrity, a youth mentoring program was established, with an empowerment weekend focused on building study skills, career planning, social and emotional support, nutrition, and cultural awareness. The camp provided meals for all three days, sponsored by Fit-Me-In and Shepherd of Integrity.

Providing Meals during Recognition Day at Makololwe School

On Recognition Day, we provided meals for students and teaching staff. This drew more students from a neighboring school to participate as well.

At Makololwe Secondary School, the teachers and community scheduled the Empowerment weekend camp. Teachers and a professional community of mentors, including parents, were invited to model leadership skills, hygiene, study skills for success, and collaborative community-building skills. Entertainment is provided, and students are encouraged to celebrate culture through music and dance. A nutritional meal plan provides three meals for the entire community. Video title: Makololwe Jas empowerment weekend.

Festus

mentoring students in Makololwe Secondary School.

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