Helping Girls Stay in School and Thrive
For many adolescent girls, staying in school can become difficult when education is disrupted by early pregnancy, gender-based violence, stigma, limited access to sexual and reproductive health information, or challenging social and economic circumstances.
She Thrives is Great Ladies Organization's flagship program designed to help adolescent girls build the knowledge, confidence and support systems they need to navigate these challenges and continue pursuing their education and aspirations.
Working through schools and communities in Kisumu, the program combines life-skills education, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education, mentorship, leadership development and community engagement. It also provides support for pregnant girls and teen mothers as they work toward returning to school and continuing their education.
The Challenge We Are Addressing
A girl's education can be interrupted by circumstances that extend far beyond the classroom. Teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, stigma, misinformation about sexual and reproductive health and limited support from families and communities can all affect a girl's ability to remain in school and plan for her future.
When a girl leaves school, the consequences can extend well beyond her education. She may face reduced opportunities, increased vulnerability and greater economic pressure. She Thrives therefore takes a holistic approach, working with girls, schools, families and communities to create an environment where girls can remain engaged in education and make informed decisions about their lives.
What We Do
She Thrives combines education, mentorship, psychosocial support and community engagement to address the different barriers girls may face.
Building confidence, decision-making and personal skills.
Helping girls understand their health, rights and choices.
Creating supportive relationships where girls can learn and encourage one another.
Equipping girls and communities with knowledge to recognize and prevent violence.
Taking conversations on health, safety and leadership directly into learning environments.
Working with parents, caregivers, teachers and community stakeholders to strengthen support for girls.
Supporting Girls Back to School
A pregnancy should not mean the end of a girl's education. She Thrives recognizes the importance of creating pathways for pregnant girls and teen mothers to reconnect with education and rebuild their confidence after pregnancy.
Through reintegration support, psychosocial care and community sensitization, the program works to reduce stigma and encourage families, schools and communities to support girls as they return to learning.
Every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, make informed choices about her future and continue pursuing her goals, regardless of the challenges she has faced.
From Participants to Young Leaders
She Thrives goes beyond keeping girls in school. It creates opportunities for girls to understand their rights, develop confidence and use their voices.
Through mentorship, leadership activities and peer engagement, participants are encouraged to become advocates for themselves and others. The goal is to nurture young women who can speak up, participate in decisions that affect their lives and contribute positively to their communities.
Our Reach
She Thrives has reached 400+ adolescent girls through school and community-based activities in Kisumu. The program forms part of Great Ladies Organization's wider work to improve the health, education, protection, dignity and leadership of girls and young women across Kenya.
Girls reached through She Thrives
Schools partnered with across Great Ladies' wider work
Teachers engaged and trained across the wider organization
Caregivers engaged across the organization's work
She Thrives in Action
From school outreach and SRHR education to mentorship and community conversations, She Thrives brings girls together in spaces where they can learn, ask questions and build confidence.
Why She Thrives Matters
Keeping a girl connected to education can influence much more than her academic journey. It can strengthen her confidence, expand her future opportunities and help her make informed decisions about her health and wellbeing.
At the same time, supporting pregnant girls and teen mothers to return to school challenges the stigma that often pushes young mothers away from education permanently.
She Thrives works toward a simple but powerful idea: girls should have the support and opportunity to thrive, even when life presents difficult challenges.
Help a Girl Thrive
You can help Great Ladies expand opportunities for girls through mentorship, education, psychosocial support, school outreach and community engagement.
Donate
Support programs that help girls stay in school and thrive.
Volunteer
Give your time, skills or mentorship to support girls.
Partner
Collaborate with us to expand the program's reach and impact.
Advocate
Help create communities where girls are heard, protected and supported.
When girls are supported, they don't just stay in school. They gain the confidence to shape their own futures.
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