They say that art does magic to souls We that's because of how strongly I feel about it, ART.Art can take any form. You know that feeling you get when you are walking in the hallways of an art gallery? Or that unexplainable excitement when you watch show performances in theatre?Or when you sit in a noisy nganya and you feel it in you that that moment could make it into a music video about human rights or even love? Or when you listen to music by your all-time favorite and all you think about is "How did they create such masterpiece lyrics"?Yeah, I do that with almost all Afro Music That wholesome feeling, that right there is what we want to create with REKORD We appreciate everyone who takes the time to share their craft with us. We want to ride in your creativity, your delights,thoughts-whatever makes you! We want to educate and inform as you will see in this edition. We also take you through interesting stuff done throughout the year by Respekt. We bring you along to see what we do and hopefully get you to join our bandwagon in creating safe spaces for SRHR discussions.
I hope this edition does whatever your favorite snack does to you. I hope it brings you a lot of warmth this festive season REKORD will continuously serve vibes (On the scout's promise).
I hope you always look forward to us and that you shall never run out of crafty ideas Thank you for allowing us into your world, and for letting us share in your joyous exploration of art.
Enjoy, and it's totally okay with us if you share us with your friends. Happy festivities.
Writing has been my passion for as long as I can remember I happen to think I express myself better in writing. This is what got me into REKORD, where I am free to let my creative self come to life. I've always wanted to be an editor so this is a dream come true for me. With this 3rd edition termed Ambitious, Bold and New, it is our hope that it reaches and even surpasses your expectations. Happy festivities as you indulge in this copy Have an awesome read!
Being part of the editorial committee and seeing this magazine come to life has been nothing short of amazing We hope that through the stories and experiences narrated in this magazine, you may be inspired to continue making the change(s) that you want to see in the SRHR space. May this magazine inspire us to be part of the solution in achieving the SDGs by 2030.
Sexual and reproductive health has been my passion, my life's dedication. In a time when most of the youth are very sexually active, more information surrounding this needs to be made more readily available for them. I aim to shed light on SRH in a manner that is more accurate, simplistic and understandable. Watching this magazine grow, and seeing the impact that it has on the people directly has been one of the greatest achievements of my life. As they say, life is a beauty, enjoy it. The pages contain hardwork, thorough research, lessons as well as fond memories in a balanced and nuanced perspective, which all make up the brand that it is . Enjoy it!
It's safe to say that this year has been nothing short of educational: from learning new things to reaching out to others on matters SRHR. Nothing can encompass and convey our vision better than our art. Thus, this magazine embodies our passion for sexual and reproductive health and our desire to change society one person at a time.
J A C K L I N E O M O N G O
Coucou!
J O Y J A M A
L E N N O X M A S I K A
Ambitious, Bold and New! RESPEKT 2 0 brought together some of the brightest minds in the country with new talents, and opened the doors to infinite possibilities More than 80 new and continuing volunteers, from 11 universities across the country converged at Hotel Waterbuck in Kenya’s newest city, Nakuru, to undergo a series of training that ran from April 29th to May 1st 2022 The Training of Trainers (ToT), was equally as fun and creative as it was educative. The volunteers arrived in Nakuru on Friday 29th, had the training start on Saturday, culminating in a Dinner Gala in the evening, then a short session on Sunday before everyone departed
The training kicked off on Saturday 9 am, and ended at 5pm that evening. Then 9am
to 1pm on Sunday. The previous night, the volunteers had been provided with RESPEKT tshirts that most of them wore on Saturday. The main message during the training was teamwork. From the games played like ‘Take a Stand’ and the questions asked, to the workshops held and the speeches given, the importance of working as a team was emphasized
What makes RESPEKT unique is that we incorporate work and play so seamlessly, to create an awesome cocktail Through the activities carried out, the trainers were educated on how to manage
in their presence as they taught them about their Sexual and Reproductive Health A RESPEKT training manual was provided, and some of the continuing volunteers took the other members through the topics covered
On Sunday there were workshops hosted by the various working groups, that is Research,, Curriculum and Advocacy departments. The members of each working group held sessions with the volunteers, explaining what their departments do, just in case anyone was interested to join them whenever a call would be made in the near future.
The volunteers during the training on Saturday
This was surely the highlight of the event It marked the culmination of the 3 day Training of Trainers. The theme was ‘creative formal, with a touch of red’. Our volunteers took the opportunity to go all out. The outfits were simply stunning, with it being hard to decide who was the best dressed among them all All the chapters got the opportunity to entertain the rest by showcasing their dancing skills It didn’t matter whether you had two left feet. No one really noticed because everyone was having fun. The event also saw a number of our alumni in attendance get to share their impact stories and journey before and after RESPEKT.
It was eye opening. Sharing and learning the perspectives of others
Maria Murugi KENYATTA UNIVERSITY Lily Kwamboka KISII UNIVERSITYThe gala. It was such an elegant and delightful experience The dancing was amazing and the coming together of the various chapters was very admirable.
My 2022 ToT was an amazing renewed experience where I met an energized team that is ready to propel the SRHR agenda among the Kenyan Teenagers. A second phase of Respekt is what we've been eagerly waiting for. It's here with us. Let's make it happen. Cheers!
Oyugi Kevin MASENO UNIVERSITY
Jepkoech Delaviv UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
I really appreciate the safe space in which we were able to express our differing opinions on various topics. Being a shy person who gets stage fright when in front of an audience, I can say that I performed admirably Being a member of RESPEKT has been a learning process . I love it here.
Creatively forming our ideal countries and where you take a stand on a matter and try to justify your stand In both, I liked how we had to think on our feet as well as the wisdom that flowed from the discussions. EGERTON UNIVERSITY
It was not what I expected in terms of being an official and strict conference. The games and activities were so fun to participate in and thoughtprovoking. But yani tulipigania viti as grown adults yet what we just needed to do was consult amongst each group on what their task was? I was embarrazzed
Joyce Karanja KENYATTA UNIVERSITYThe TOT organized in Nakuru made me to learn essential skills like teamwork, decision making and more from the workshops conducted.I also enjoyed the delicious meals served.
Benedict Mwololo UZIMA UNIVERSITY Ntamwira Sylivia KENYA METHODIST UNIVERSITYWell my experience was superb no words fit the description I really enjoyed the take a stand session, I got a ring that day hahaha. Then getting proposed and announced as one the best volunteer was overwhelming. Getting to know many new people with great minds and bonding was fun
Our volunteers from Kenya Methodist University did an SRHR campaign at Munithu girls high school, Meru county, sharing insights on SRHR with the students Notably, we loved how the ladies expressed confidence while taking their stand, vehemently opposing what they perceived as wrong, as well as coming to a consensus on the importance of gender equality We were fulfilled seeing the ladies ask questions that were bothering them and how our responses were impactful to them. As volunteers It was mission accomplished
The School is a wonderful and welcoming place. The administration gave us an ear and supported the RESPEKT project. It is a beautiful school with wonderful students eager to learn and ready to ask questions We really enjoyed working with them.
By Constance Naliaka
It was finally the day of launching the RESPEKT club and as I stood before the 200 students of Mosando Secondary School, I let myself speak from my heart
Interaction with the students gave me a nostalgic feeling. Their cheerfulness when we asked them for entertainment swept me off my feet And then the icing on the cake was when a couple of boys stood up and began to act a radio broadcast in our native Kisii language. . It was marvelous. It was awesome that through these teens we had found a bridge to deliver SRHR education to others
From the RESPEKT team, I also found something to take home. I found out that Divannah's radiance was based on her extensive knowledge on SRHR Lily had the ability to always joke and later be able to emphasize on what is important without being boring.
Launching the club was a success All the students were on board for registration by the RESPEKT team. I can't wait for the next visit to connect with those teenagers again.
By Shirley Koech
We visited Morop Girls High school. When we first visited, we received a very warm welcome from the school heads, the teachers and the girls At first the girls seemed quiet but they opened up to us more and more with time and with the consecutive visits. Eventually, we managed to form a very strong and personal bond with the girls
During the interactive sessions, the students were disciplined and contributed to the discussions. They were quite
knowledgeable on some issues and in contrast oblivious to others. They were eager to learn- this made the sessions very productive and memorable and the leisure time even better
They were warm and easy to talk to. The most gratifying part of our visit would have to be when we had a Q and A session and the students expressed their understanding of content we shared with them The teachers thanked us and told us that the students had requested for us to have more sessions with them.
WTo any future RESPEKT volunteers, when interacting with the students, be free for they are your younger brothers and sisters Be confident in yourself and remember that you have what it takes to touch the lives of these girls and boys. They rely on us for this information and it is our duty to educate them and equip them with the knowledge they need to face the world.
By Madeline Nafula
Maseno university chapter conducted its school visits at Ken Obura primary school in Kisumu. We made two visits to the school and launched the Respekt club on the second visit
On arrival, it was clean and calm. The welcoming was very warm and friendly, the students all looked eager to hear from us. The school is well organized with time set aside for a guidance and counseling sessions. Treatment from the teachers and students was friendly with decorum and way above our expectations. They were glad to have us owing to the long standing relationship between the school and Respekt.
The most full filling part of the visit was the enthusiasm of the teenagers in learning about SRHR we were able to create a safe
space and the students were able to open up and be vulnerable to talk about their issues that they find hard talking to their parents and teachers. Some students wanted to see us privately and the seemed very concerned about their SRHR issues The senior teacher reported on positive improvements from students since our last visit
By Felix Njoroge
There is a wonderful feeling that comes with doing advocacy work This sense of purpose is even stronger when it’s your first time in such a setting
That’s pretty much how we would describe our school visits to Shadrack Kimalel Secondary School Our first visit was on the 23rd of May 2022 where we introduced ourselves to the school administration and to the students. Courtesy of the guidance and counselling teacher, Mr Joshua Mboya, we were able to have a one-on-one session with the students just to get to hear what they thought about various SRHR issues. It was a nice blend of learning and fun activities that made it a comfortable environment for everyone to speak up
The second visit was on the 21st of July 2022 and we finally launched the RESPEKT club at the school under the umbrella of Health Club We managed to recruit 34 members (18 girls and 16 boys) into our
exciting club with the hope that this would sustain these important conversations on sexual and reproductive health issues affecting teenagers
We’ll soon return with a curriculum to ensure we not only empower these students to speak up but we also equip them with knowledge to be able to make the best decisions for their own sake and their surrounding community. The future looks very bright for our chapter and our affiliated high school club
You can tell someone is pregnant by looking at their hands.
You can't get pregnant if you have sex during ovulation.
Ovulation, or the release of an egg from the ovary, is the time when a woman is most fertile and has the highest chance of getting pregnant. Having sex during ovulation increases the likelihood of pregnancy, but it is not a guarantee.
There is no reliable way to tell if someone is pregnant by looking at their hands. Some possible signs of pregnancy may include swelling in the hands or fingers, but this could also be due to other factors such as water retention or certain medical conditions. The only reliable way to determine pregnancy is through a medical examination or a pregnancy test. Courtesy of Curriculum & Knowledge
This is not true. Pregnancy can occur regardless of the position in which sex is initiated. As long as there is a possibility of sperm reaching the egg, pregnancy can occur. It is important to use protection or contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.
Contraceptives cause infertility.
Contraceptives do not cause infertility. In fact, they are designed to prevent pregnancy and therefore prevent fertility. Some contraceptives may temporarily halt ovulation or alter hormonal levels, but they do not permanently damage the reproductive system or cause infertility. Once a person stops using contraceptives, their fertility should return to normal. Courtesy of Curriculum
You can’t get pregnant if you have sex standing up
10 chapters! 10 days! 10 insightful discussions! The 2nd edition of the inTENse chat series that ran from 12th to 21st August 2022, was a massive success. We like to think we changed how the youth perceive matters SRHR since the feedback from the participants was highly encouraging. The series brought together people from all parts of the country each day to discuss crucial thought provoking issues The topics ranged from comprehensive sex education, to what most people don’t talk about: abortion. The WhatsApp groups were always at the maximum capacity of 513, with others even missing the opportunity to join. All the 10 chapters got a chance to host a session, with their own speakers and moderators.The engagement of the participants was new and interesting each day, as each chapter had a fun and unique way of doing things. By the time the series came to an end, a huge impact had been made.
The topics discussed were the following, arranged in order from day 1 to 10: 1
Role of SRHR in promoting mental health. Contraceptive use in campus. Weight of education in countering SRHR issues. Abortion. Global impact of overturning Roe vs Wade.
Comprehensive sex education. Gender stereotyping. Is sex abstinence still possible in this day and age? Do men suffer from gender based violence?
Role of youth in SRHR advocacy.
The Zoom webinar was themed Adolescent SRHR as a political priority with the intention of focusing on the political impact on matters pertaining to sexual and Reproductive Health Rights among Adolescents which is in line with the RESPEKT.
The webinar was guided by questions that would the webinar meet its objective of understanding politics and SRHR among adolescents.
Some of the questions included: Challenges faced by adolescents when it comes to matters SRH- Education, current political commitments towards prioritization of adolescent SRHR, the impact of politics on SRHR and interventions at the national or global level, and how we can hold power to account when it comes to the advancement of SRHR.
There were break-out sessions to engage and discuss countries that have been able to prioritize SRHR Countries like Switzerland, Finland, and South Korea appeared to have made huge steps towards Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights not only in adolescents but also in maternal health care.
Maseno, Kisii and Uzima chapters co-hosted this event that was held on 8th October in Maseno University’s Amphitheatre. The theme was ‘Sexuality in the 21st Century’. People turned up in large numbers, as ‘Sexuality in the 21st Century’ is a controversial issue in the current society. Under this, Gender Based Violence, Toxic Masculinity and Feminism and LGBTQ were discussed All these subthemes were panel based discussions, which was really engaging as the audience was able to contribute and ask questions they needed clarity on.
After the panel discussion, we had the day’s keynote speaker, Dr. Stellah Bosire, who is a human rights and gender expert, give a speech.
.
BY MONICA KITONGAThe topic of discussion was Contraceptives
There were 5 speakers; Chelsea Odera, Noela Mudunga, Claude Odayo and Sharon Kiptoo, with Mr. Bidian Nyamor filling in as the main speaker The moderators were Faith Wafula Nelima and Angela Nambiru All other members from Moi chapter were actively involved in the planning. More than 80 people showed up for the discussion. It was a learning experience We started the event an hour later, which meant it ended an hour late, but it was totally worth it. It was a very educative session, and I personally learnt a lot of stuff I didn’t know about like the Reproductive health bill Most of the speakers were very relatable, and they approached the topics in a very creative way.'
KISUMU
BY FELIX MBURU
It was only fitting that the culmination of the Town Hall series took place in the green city under the sun- Kanairo! This event took place at the Louis Leakey Auditorium, National Museum on 15th October. It was a collaboration of four chapters JKUAT, KU, MKU and UoN. The potent topic of discussion was “Youth and Governance”- a discussion for the youth by the youth. Young people below the age of 35 years comprise 75% of the total population in Kenya. However, within the governance spaces there stands a huge chance that young people might be misrepresented and government policy might not be youthcentric This forum was about how young people can take up their space and engage in active dialogue as key players in governance. Welcome to Nairobi Townhall.
Weighty discussions require weighty panels
The youth and governance panel discussion consisted of: Mr. Bilian Ojiwa- a youth leader in UDA and a political activist, Ms. Angel Mbuthia- Ms President contestant and former student leader and Mr. Ken Ogembo from Siasa Place. This session was ably moderated by Ms. Cinamon Nyagaka from the KU chapter. The panel shared their views on various issues affecting the youth in governance and shared nuggets from their personal experience in leadership. This panel discussion was followed by a keynote speech by Mr. Con Omore who is a governance advisor at the British High Commission. He not only gave tips for how the youth can involve themselves in leadership but also gave a list of contacts that can be of great help to the youth.
The second panel discussion was centred on the intersection between SRHR and mental health. This panel consisted of Dr. Serena Vulavu from team RESPEKT, Ms Cheyenne Oyando- a mental health advocate from MKU and Ms. Rita from RHNK. This session was moderated by Ms. Joy Jama from the UoN chapter. The panellists discussed various mental health issues that affect young people of reproductive age and also how and where to get help. A very insightful session indeed! The final act of the day was a keynote address by Ms. Noelle Museshi on behalf of team RESPEKT Mr Thiga Muriuki then wrapped it all up with a vote of thanks. The emcees for the day were Mr. Daniel Mumo and Mr. Felix Mburu. Nairobi town hall was a great success and a great step towards getting the youth to speak up about issues that are important to them.
Months after joining RESPEKT, I took my time to see what RESPEKT has been involved in over the years while also trying to understand the content they put out on their digital channels and how they interact with their audience. This helped me gain an understanding of how they run their online engagements At this point, I decided to anxiously wait for the call for new Advocacy members
Once the notice was put out, I immediately sent in my details for consideration for the position. I think the only other time(s) I have responded to a text that fast was when I was being asked whether I want food
Within 2 weeks or so, I received the fantastic news that I had been picked among a few others as well I was so ecstatic!
In the few months that I have been an Advocacy member, I have come to appreciate a couple of things
O
To begin with, I truly enjoy the autonomy of the execution of tasks and projects This has made me grow in ways that I could have only dreamed of at this point. For example, I was given the sole mandate to run the International Day of the Girl Child project that was held a few months ago on October 11th I remember receiving that call a week or so to the actual day and all I was told was ‘That’s your day You run with it’
To be honest, I do not wear my heart on my sleeves and it can be hard to know what I am thinking at every moment but that phone call really did send my mind into near panic mode I however made it happen one way or the other, employing my creative side into the making of a short video of our various team members about what the day meant to them
The highlight of that project was the editing of the various clips into one video-one more skill in my books!
'Fadhila, Eugene and Frida went for partnership seminar 3rd of May to 9th of May 2022. The seminar was held in Helsingør in the northern part of Zealand in Denmark in a conference
center called Konventum Fadhila and Eugene came to Denmark 3 days before the seminar. On these days we showed them around in Copenhagen where we saw Christiania, Nyhavn, ate hot dogs, petted goats and went to see a drag show.
It was a one week seminar arranged by DUF (Dansk Ungdoms fællesråd) whose purpose was to get help in writing our application for the Youth Leader Exchange 3(YLE3). Besides writing the application we were educated on project related subjects like project design and management: Problem analysis, objectives and strategies, timeline etc. We also had sections about other subjects such as gender, volunteerism and youth influence and financial management. The speakers were mostly from DUF but we also had visits from the ministry of foreign affairs. The seminar gave us new tools to work with. We made a time line for the YLE3 on the floor made of cardboards where we wrote the objectives and activities and also made a poster of what RESPEKT stands for
On some nights, DUF had
planned some activities for us. We had a “around the world” night where everybody was to make a presentation about their country It could be a dance, a PowerPoint, a song, some snacks etc. We also had a farewell dinner and party. Here we made funny hats, danced, played beer pong etc.
Every morning at the seminar we had a morning check in with our buddy groups where we were split up with people from different projects. It was really interesting to learn about the other projects and to meet other people engaged in cool international projects.'
''It was really interesting to learn about the other projects and to meet other people engaged in cool international projects.''
We had a really nice event talking about why it isn’t sexy to talk about sex. We started of with questions for the audience asking them whether they thought different stories/questions from school visits were from School in Kenya or Denmark
It was really interesting to see what people voted and also just a really entertaining event in general.
Of course meeting the prime minister of Denmark was a highlight and also quite surprising since she apparently studied African studies and knew some Swahili We also had a good time one evening dancing to music where our former minister of health was the DJ.
'The entire trip was nothing short of amazing! We started off by attending the 2 day youth pre-conference, whose emphasis was on placing the youth as a key stakeholder in the SRHR and UHC agenda We then had the other 4 days to attend the main conference which was themed upon 3 words. Innovate, Collaborate & Accelerate We attended both the plenary and group sessions where the conversation on Family Planning + UHC access to all, was discussed In the group sessions, we
were able to interact and network more closely with organisations from across the globe, where we shared our experiences and also learned from theirs For example, I learnt how a group in India is conducting SRHR education using an automated chatbot, hence providing timely and easily accessible information to all Another from Malawi had set up youth friendly centres where SRHR is taught in the local communities without stigma.
We also got to network with some of the Kenyan organisations that were present in the conference such as APHRC Kenya.
Last but not least, we set aside some time for sightseeing around Pattaya, with a visit to the sanctuary of truth, the big Buddha temple, terminal 21 and the ATV adventures centre amongst others.
All in all, it was indeed an amazing trip!'
FLORENCE VAN RIET'Attending the International Conference on Family planning and being in Thailand itself has been an experience of a lifetime It has been great meeting likeminded actors and advocates who are all passionate about creating change within the SRHR scene and to get inspired by each other It was an honour and a proud moment for me alongside my two colleagues, Sam and Katrine to represent RESPEKT on a large international scale like the ICFP, which proves how far this project has come. The highlight of the trip at the ICFP was meeting and networking with Anne from APHRC and attending a session by Rutgers International. For experiences in Thailand my favourite moment was visiting the Sanctuary of Truth, which is a famous temple that has left a huge impression on me '
"We started off by attending the 2 day youth pre-conference, whose emphasis was on placing the youth as a key stakeholder in the SRHR and UHC agenda."
Youth Leader Exchange is a parallel project alongside the RESPEKT partnership project that sees volunteers from IMCC and RESPEKT, KENYA participate fulltime in the project to accomplish goals set for the project. At RESPEKT, we have had 3 Youth Leader Exchange programs with the selection basis being on availability and assessment following a call from the Project Coordination Committee. Applicants who are proactive in the project and have learnt skills in the project are most considered As a youth leader in the project, I would like to emphasize that participation is key since the project provides many opportunities to add value to oneself and others
Youth Leader Exchange 3.0
The Youth Leader program involves 2 Danish volunteers from IMCC and 3 Kenyan RESPEKT volunteers The project was scheduled to begin on August 15th, 2022 to January 20th, 2023 with a one-month exchange for all the youth leaders in Denmark followed by a 4-month exchange in Kenya This is a wonderful opportunity to network, contribute towards strengthening the project and for personal growth as well. The application for the third phase of the program was submitted by June 1st, 2022 and with fingers crossed and bated breaths, we waited for its approval and a call was made. The selection committee forwarded the names that Daniel Mumo, Felix Njoroge and yours truly had been selected as the Kenyan Youth Leaders to join Matias Metcalf-Clausen (with the metcalves) and Katrine Dolberg from IMCC as Youth Leaders.
The dawn of July 5th had the project receiving the wonderful news that the grant was approved and plans to begin preparation for the exchange began!
Attending the DUF seminar during the exchange period in Denmark is crucial to the Youth Leader program This includes attending workshops that equip one with skills to enable the Youth Leaders to run their own project efficiently and contribute towards the Partnership Project Unfortunately, to the entire project’s dismay, the Kenyan Youth Leaders experienced visa rejections amid preparation for the exchange. This was met with the 5 stages of grief (you know the ones?) and soon acceptance by the wise words of Lupe Fiasco, the show must go on.
We were able to jump over this hurdle by attending the workshops online and learning a lot from our Danish counterparts. The project took this in its stride and we continued to prepare for the second part of the exchange
The Youth Leader exchange has been a great learning experience on my part As a volunteer, it is easy to overlook most the work it takes into taking up an administrative role in the project. I have also had the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and learn to accommodate them My personal favorite has been how to learn to communicate openly while living and working together. The beauty of taking up space and getting out of your comfort zone is a notable
positive experience that I have had the pleasure of having I joined the project in my third year of medical school and I am currently a medical intern and I am delighted to share that the growth has been immense As Youth Leaders, we try to keep our team spirit high and accommodate each other’s differences. We are currently in the phase of ensuring sustainability of the RESPEKT clubs and gearing up for Wajibu Wetu Summit at the end of the first quarter of 2023 The volunteers at RESPEKT have done a splendid job in ensuring the clubs were successfully launched in all the chapters. The reception to this from the schools that we visit has been great and the teenagers feel like they have a safe space that is not only provided on the occasions that we do the school visits. We also just wrapped up
a successful Training of Trainers for the club patrons from the chapters to spearhead these activities during the start of the next year.
I would like to urge all RESPEKT volunteers to seize the opportunity bestowed upon them by the project and also not to feel jaded when you receive a rejection when applying for opportunities. Mastering the art of resilience is mostly why I applied for Youth Leader 3 despite having applied twice before The project has a plethora of good opportunities that all the volunteers from the various chapters can impound. The impact that we have made as a project is enormous and I cannot wait for everyone to see what Wajibu Wetu Summit, 2023 has in store for RESPEKT, THE MISSION.
Dr Angie Ngugi
Daniel Mumo
Matias Metcalf
Katrine Dolberg
Felix Njoroge
My most interesting moment is when I found out that one of the Youth Leaders (Matias) speaks French. It was such a wild discovery and we ended up having almost a full conversation (en Français), while everyone was just staring and watching. It was quite awkward, but considering the fact that French makes me feel extra alive, it was truly one of my highlights.
I feel like I got to improve my interpersonal skills when I facilitated a Communication Workshop where they were part of the audience. Would I do this again? Bien sûr! I would definitely do it again.
By Joy Jama-Respekt VolunteerWho is a youth leader? What constitutes a good youth leader? This current crop of youth leaders is a great bunch, a team that conquers both mountains and savanna in the same breath, a team that swims with dolphins and watches football together, the life of the party wherever they are. I’m impressed by how they have managed to execute their duties in time and within their budgets, as well as push one another out of their comfort zones. I’m not so sure I can summarize my thoughts on them within the word limit that I have, but I’ll tell you one thing for sure, these guys are freshi barida, noma sana.
By Dr. Serena Vulavu-Respekt Advisory
I had a wonderful time meeting Angie the other day. Despite the fact that we were complete strangers, the conversation flowed naturally and we ended up chatting for almost an hour. It was so refreshing to meet all the youth leaders and have such an enjoyable and engaging conversation with them. I left the interaction feeling uplifted and grateful for the opportunity to connect with other people in such a meaningful way.
By Tyler Kamamia-Respekt VolunteerThe Beginning of YLE 3 ushered a dynamic team of fantastic five who true to the name come as a package of totally different individuals yet similar. They are the five friends whom anyone in the project would relate to.They would start with a reel from Felix (Billie Eilish) where the transition would become a prelude into the bang they had come with. It's a fun team to be around whose escapades, fun times, project works and ultimately their allegiances to the different just concluded world cup teams can be tracked via their IG Channel. I would summarize the experience of their presence as epic.
By Thiga Muriuki-Respekt Volunteer
If not the suicidal thoughts, the vengeancefilled hearts, They seek a place that gives them inner peace, Sometimes they land in wrong places, Just to escape that ' moment of thought' That moment that brings back the old bad memories
That brings back the pain, the sorrows As a result of sexual violence
Then society starts to blame its characters While it is the cause of this disaster. Then the victims feel over-abused, overused, And they are left with two choices
To either give up or get up✌
Let's say No to sexual violence, Give an ear to the victims, Just for them to feel that justice has been served
For their heart to be at peace Just like before, no just change has been done to bring an impact in society on matters concerning sexual violence, Victims of sexual violence suffer in silence, Voices are not heard, words are not pronounced well, They all live in fear of 'what if'
What if people judge me
What if no one believes me What if no one listens to me.. How are we supposed to end this when no one is willing To listen, To believe, To take action against sexual violence.
The few are the guilty offenders that are taken into custody, But many are those that go free on bail, Many are those that are innocent and serving in jail.
Society has decided to do nothing, They just want to get done with the storylines.
No one wants to listen to the victims ' voices, Shame is filled among the elders
Then I ask myself, who/what will the victim to,
My name is Flower
I just blossomed into a teenager
With my breast full I am very beautiful But one pain in me How society views me Every month, I experience one tough week. But no one seems to understand, My red is not shameful Rather my red is beautiful As natural as tears flow due to excitement or pain So Is my red beautiful Today I caution the naughty ones, Who await my stained dress or skirt, In order to laugh at me or shame me.
Stop from today Understand that my red is normal Not a source of reproach And to mums and dads, Please check up on us your daughters, Mum or Dad do you know if I'm growing? Take time to ask and teach me If you don't who will?
I almost forgot the pain, My stomach hurts so bad, I was so scared of even speaking it out, The teacher kept asking me questions in class, I was not daydreaming, was just in pain Then my friend Angel tells me maybe I was pregnant, But how or was it something I could ingest as food? I had so many fears and questions, At first, I thought I was dying I remember my eyes sore from crying If only I knew I was just growing, Just blossoming, I am a flower remember?
I wish mum or dad Big brother or big sister had told me more earlier.
Anyways today is a bright day, No sad memories but Let's learn
Tell my little sisters out there Their red is beautiful too
BY LAURA NYIHA
To all the times You were not a priority
All those times I locked you out Thought to myself I could do without you
Went out and about A happy lad
With caution to the wind They warned me against you Like a mother warns her daughter about certain men Sometimes I wanted you Inside I felt I would do better with you around But around me he didn’t want you
And between you and him I choose him, of course
I am very big on compatibility They will tell you
If our vibes don’t match
I want a way out I hope we become compatible That you will know my body in ways not known to others That synergy will be our collaborative theme.
I want to spend holidays with you Breakfast dates with you (You will learn that I enjoy a good handful of those)
I hope you are kind to my body And when I am ready to have little ones Little gents and little ladies
I love every bit of it I actually might be on the upper scale
I want you around
But I need to stop thinking about you in the heart of it
I need a safety net
To catch me
I don’t mind if you end up trapping me
I am down for it
That you will understand when I say my goodbyes
I pray you don’t suck at those You will have served me right And on my gratitude list
You will appear, written boldlyCONTRACEPTIVES
I said NO! His grip is too tight on my arm, his fingertips digging in. I look up at the man, my mind struggling to process it all He looks like a good man! The fatherly kind. But his eyes! God his eyes.
Let me go! I plead silently, words unable to leave my mouth My whole body is trembling, I’m getting light-headed, my legs barely able to support me
Please let me go! Please! But of course the words don’t come. He drags me behind the deserted building, where it’s dark. His hands grab my flimsy dress, tearing it apart, leaving me naked. He pushes me to the ground. The impact barely registers. All of a sudden I lose the ability to breathe, think; my panic attack kicking in. I. CANT. BREATHE. I’m numb. As I start losing consciousness, I see him quickly unbuckling his belt, a crazed look on his face NO! NO! PLEASE DON’T DO THIS! I SAID NO! My eyes plead silently. A lone tear rolls down my cheek, and at the back of my mind, I hear someone calling out my name ‘ALYSSA!!!’
Dad… I black out.
By JARED RONOH
Mental health and SRHR challenges are on the same side of the global sphere of concern today. Mental health problems may have consequences that interfere with responsibilities and relationships. Sexual and reproductive health challenges (early and unwanted pregnancy), HIV, and gender-based violence significantly determine the quality of life of an individual
The state of mind in making informed choices determines the success of interventions to better their sexual and reproductive health. One with sub-optimal health will less likely to incorporate safe and responsible sexual behavior.
Enhanced integration of mental health education alongside literacy on existing sexual and reproductive programs will improve outcomes. With recognition of this importance, SRHR advocates and relevant stakeholders have to proactively work on their role This will enable individuals to cope with life challenges and engage their peers to better our society.
…
By ELIUS CHIRCHIRThe low-sloping figure shuffles away slowly, His massively wrinkled face, shaking from side to side disapproving, The two boys look at each other, with looks of understanding, He is too conservative.
Old man, circumcising a girl is no longer useful Barbaric it is instead and very shameful It is no longer a beauty emblem but now a nationwide problem, Look here old man, the world is dynamic Must you rejoice when your brother is dead, So that you replace his position in bed, And give his wife a new home, Arguing that you are keeping his family aflame, Look here old man, the society is dynamic
Is your daughter a trade commodity That you praise her to show her validity Your aim to attain a fair pay Look here old man, the world is dynamic
I am a woman, a mother, an aunt, a sister, a daughter, a niece
I am a woman who is hissed at and tormented every day
I am a woman who gets stressed every morning before leaving her house, Who cannot dress without being tagged or judged.
I am a woman who suffers daily from touching, harassment, and insistent glances full of innuendo
I am a woman, hooted, scorned, despised, because she is not married, because she chooses to live alone.
I am a mistreated, harassed, abused woman who is chased away when she cannot give birth
I am a woman for whom the roof of her house is no longer a shelter.
I am a woman who endures her marital duty instead of enjoying it.
I am a woman who is mutilated from childhood, condemned to forego my sexual pleasure
I am a woman whose intelligence is ignored to the benefit of my looks
I am a woman who has been taught to be silent, to bow my head, to resign myself
I SAY NO! I am a woman who says NO; I say no to you
I watched it all Through the window Like an invisible spirit Watching her unseen I heard her call Puss! Puss! Her voice was cute Her eyes adorable
The cute kitten came along And the cute child petted it Warm feelings fluttered my heart Warm feelings that melt my heart
Until the kitten had had enough And wanted to go away But the child would not let it A struggle was underway
The kitten became desperate The child became frustrated Anger flashed in her eyes And her face became cruel
She held it down by the neck And crushed its airway It squeaked and squealed in pain But she killed it anyway
I was filled with horror For this scene was familiar John had squeezed my airway Just the same way
The beer sent him to the grave But still he haunted me And worst of all today Through our little girl!
Less addressed yet more necessary Family planning, maternity care, gender-based violence
Adolescent reproductive health, HIV and AIDS and safe abortion
Highly important to a girl child, required at all ages but the earlier the better Fighting stigma, everyone's responsibility Watching women lack freedom of personal autonomy, not my share
As time passed, I was 14 Excited to be a teenager Adolescence, a happy stage I had joined Having not been the first, I too knew it would end Not long in the year, my own blood mistreated me
My own blood came out with pain
In the stories I was told, sex cured the pain A young man would rub my tears! Out of the action we both enjoyed, I cried alone Last month was the first and last time I saw blood for the next 9 months At the end of the empty months, I became a mother
Rejected at home, I got out of school and in deep regret, was forced to get married
My current description is poverty It will never leave my mind
SRHR-related Diseases of Bacterial origin
They include: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Bacterial vaginosis, Lymphogranuloma venereum and Chancroid.
They have common manifestations including pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal discharges, inter-menstrual bleeding, pain or irritation associated with urination, or even painful sex.
Some of these diseases if untreated may cause infertility Regular screening can help detect when an infection is asymptomatically present. They are transmissible through various routes like unprotected sex (Anal {hence rectum infected}, vaginal {hence female genitalia infected}, oral {throat infection}). MTCT can also happen during pregnancy, labor, or while nursing These routes are dependent on the type of infection.
Bacterial diseases are treatable and therefore this calls for regular screening, early diagnosis, and adequate medication
SRHR–related Diseases of Parasitic origin.
They include: Trichomoniasis. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners and unprotective sex. It causes foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching, and painful urination in women, mostly asymptomatic in men Pregnant women are at risk of premature delivery.
By MARY MUENI MUTUA
SRHR– related Diseases of Viral Origin.
They include: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, herpes genitalis, and HIV infection.
Despite having manifestations in other organs, they are transmitted through the sexual route, among other routes Most viral diseases are self-limiting. However, some subsets can establish permanent infection and persist indefinitely in the human body Some of the causative viruses are oncogenic and are therefore associated with cancers for instance Cervical and penile cancers in HPV and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in HBV.
What if we have protected sex, what if we go for guidance and counseling, what if we go for screening regularly, what if we take medication as prescribed, what if you love your neighbor as you love yourself?
LET US WATCH OUT. DO NOT SPREAD DISEASES
By: Kelvin Thiga
The Organizing committee comprises RESPEKT Volunteers drawn from her local Chapters
RESPEKT Conference 2023 will be a three day event, in three different regions focusing on three different aspects of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) that is Curriculum, Research and Advocacy. Dates are as follows;
13th March -Kisumu @ Grand Royal Swiss Hotel.
15th March -Eldoret @ Boma inn Hotel
17th March -Nairobi @ Safari Park Hotel.
As a social project that seeks to Inspire change by being a role model organization that promotes youth participation in advocating for SRHR awareness in Kenya we ought to align with the SDGs with a focus on Goals 3, 4, 5, 10, 13 and 17. No better way to start the conversation than the RESPEKT Conference 2023 that will focus on the Last Mile in Achieving SDG related Sexual and Reproductive Health Targets We aim at promoting the understanding of the related SDG content and scope and advocate for their domestication and implementation. Moreover we aim to intensify evidencebased advocacy to engage stakeholders and decision makers
The Sub Themes will include; Reducing Inequalities in SRHR through Leveraging partnership, Conceptualising SRHR as a shared Responsibility Between Men and Women While advancing Male engagement in SRHR and Improving school-based and out of school comprehensive Sexuality education for adolescents and young people for the Kisumu, Eldoret and Nairobi Conferences Respectively.
For the teens, by the teens.
A platform that will showcase articles, poems and artwork from the teens so that they can have a say in SRHR matters.
And also make it more fun
