Youth Rise Initiative Community Based Organization

Empowering Young Women in Kisumu Through Health Education & Digital Skills

At Youth Rise CBO, we are proud to be implementing an ongoing youth empowerment training program in Kisumu County informal settlements of Nyalenda, Obunga, Kondele and Manyatta, targeting 1,000 young people—with a strong focus on young women, who make up 90% of the participants. This deliberate focus reflects our commitment to uplifting adolescent girls and young women who remain disproportionately affected by social, economic, and health-related challenges.

Addressing the “Triple Threat” Facing Girls

Our program is designed to confront the triple threat that continues to undermine the wellbeing and future opportunities of many girls in vulnerable communities:

✅ Teenage Pregnancy – often leading to school dropout, limited career opportunities, and increased dependency.
✅ HIV and STIs – driven by limited access to youth-friendly health information and services.
✅ Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – which affects girls’ safety, confidence, and ability to thrive socially and economically.

Through structured sessions, we provide Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) education, life skills, and safe space discussions that equip young women with accurate information, decision-making power, and the confidence to seek support and health services when needed. Our approach prioritizes prevention, empowerment, and long-term resilience.

Building Employability Through Digital Skilling

In addition to health education, the training strongly emphasizes digital skills development as a pathway to economic empowerment. Participants are introduced to digital literacy and online work readiness to help them access opportunities within the growing digital economy.

This digital skilling component is being delivered courtesy of a strategic partnership with Clisanco Technologies Limited, whose expertise has strengthened the quality and relevance of our training.

Why This Matters

By combining health education and digital employability, Youth Rise CBO is helping young women not only stay safe and informed, but also gain the skills needed to earn income, build independence, and actively participate in the digital space.

We believe that when girls are empowered with knowledge, confidence, and skills, they become agents of change in their communities.

🤝 We welcome partnerships and donor support to expand this impactful work and reach more young women across Kisumu and beyond.

Empowering women is not a favor it is a commitment to justice. When women stand strong, human rights stand stronger. Let’s keep raising our voices, supporting one another, and building a world where every woman can lead, thrive, and be heard.

Art, stories, and lived experiences can open powerful conversations about the future we want to build.

That was the spirit behind a recent community climate dialogue organized by Youth Rise Initiative Community Based Organization (YRICBO) in Kadibo, Kisumu County, where storytelling and shared experiences created a meaningful space for conversations on climate action and environmental protection.

Community members came together to reflect on the realities they are facing locally, particularly the increasing environmental challenges such as soil erosion, flooding, and ecosystem degradation around Lake Victoria.

Through open discussions, participants shared ideas on what communities can do better to protect the environment, strengthen resilience, and reduce the impact of climate change. The conversations emphasized practical solutions such as planting indigenous trees, promoting ground cover vegetation, and strengthening community awareness on environmental conservation.

The dialogue also highlighted the important role young people and women play in driving climate action at the grassroots level, leading local initiatives that protect natural resources and safeguard the future of their communities.

As the world prepares to mark International Women's Day on 8th March, Youth Rise Initiative Community Based Organization was proud to join other partners and stakeholders in Kisumu for the pre-celebration event organized by the Kisumu County Gender Sector Working Group.

This year’s theme “Give to Gain – Empowering Women, Strengthening Communities” reminds us that investing in women and girls strengthens families, communities, and the future of our society.

During the event held at Mama Grace Social Hall, partners came together to celebrate women’s achievements, promote gender equality, and reaffirm our collective commitment to empowering women through education, economic opportunities, leadership, and community engagement.

At Youth Rise Initiative Community Based Organization, we remain committed to supporting women and young girls through programs that promote empowerment, climate action, skills development, and inclusive community development.

✨ Together, when we empower women, we empower communities.

𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

Today in Manyatta, we are having a sit down with the real champions of community health — our Community Health Promoters.

These are the men and women who walk door to door, educate families, support mothers, guide young people, and respond to health concerns long before they reach a facility.

We didn’t come to speak.
We came to listen.

Together, we had honest conversations about:
✔️ The daily challenges they face
✔️ Youth and adolescent health concerns
✔️ Community misconceptions
✔️ How we can better support their work

When we strengthen CHPs, we strengthen families.
When we strengthen families, we strengthen the community.
At Youth Rise Initiative Community Based Organization, we believe impact begins with listening to those on the front line.

If you would like to partner with us to support grassroots health initiatives in Manyatta and the informal setllements of Kisumu, reach out — the work continues.

Today, Youth Rise Initiative Community Based Organization joined hands with partners at the Youth Empowerment & Identity Summit to restore dignity and confidence to young girls and youth in our community.

Through your generosity, we were able to:

✔ Distribute reusable menstrual pads and dignity packs
✔ Facilitate SRHR training sessions
✔ Create a safe space for honest conversations about identity, self-worth, and purpose

For many girls, period poverty is a silent obstacle that keeps them out of school and dims their confidence. This intervention helped remove that barrier.
Every pad distributed represented more than a product — it represented continued school attendance, restored confidence, and hope.

To our donors and partners: thank you. Your contribution created real, measurable impact.
We look forward to expanding this work and reaching even more young people in need.

Together, we are not just empowering young people.
We are protecting their dignity and their future.

As we approach International Women’s Day, we are reminded that for many girls, empowerment begins with something very basic — dignity.

On 28th February 2026, at the Youth Empowerment & Identity Summit in Shauri Moyo, Kisumu, Youth Rise Initiative CBO will be distributing sanitary pads and dignity packs to young girls who need them most.

For some girls, a simple lack of sanitary pads means missing school. It means shame. It means silence.
We believe no girl should have to choose between her education and her period.
We invite you to stand with us. Your support — no matter how small — can keep a girl in school, protect her confidence, and remind her that she matters.

💳 Paybill: 400200
Account Number: 1124078
Account Name: Youth Rise Initiative CBO

📞 +254 701 216 342
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.yricbo.com

Together, we can end period poverty. 💜

Limited access to digital skills and income opportunities remains one of the biggest barriers preventing young mothers in low-income informal settlements from returning to school or achieving financial independence.

In Obunga, Kisumu, teenage mothers are now gaining practical digital skills — from basic computer literacy and online work fundamentals to digital marketing and content creation — transforming smartphones and laptops into tools for income generation.

This training is courtesy of Youth Rise Initiative Community Based Organization in partnership with Clisanco Technologies Limited, combining technology, mentorship, and livelihood support to create sustainable pathways for young mothers to rebuild their confidence, earn online, and thrive in the digital economy.