ActionAid International Kenya through the Education for Life (EfL) project has brought about accelerated literacy, numeracy, and life skills for the most marginalized Out of School Girls (OOSG) in underserved targeted counties by transforming their lives, and educational/ vocational attainment.
The Five-year (September 2019 and March 2023) project is funded by UKAid-Girls’ Education Challenge under the ‘Leave No Girl Behind window’ and is being implemented in five counties in Kenya namely Isiolo, Garissa, Migori, Kisumu and Kilifi.
In facilitating increased access to education by out of schoolgirls, the EfL project developed a curriculum and teachers guide for use to educate girls at catch-up centers in the five mentioned counties. The materials developed include English Learners workbook and Facilitators guide, Mathematics Learners workbook and Facilitators guide, and Kiswahili workbook and Facilitators Guide. All these aimed at attaining accelerated literacy, numeracy, and life skills for these marginalized out of schoolgirls.
Girls at Rahma catch up centre in Garissa County with numeracy learners’ booklets.
These resources have been of invaluable use to marginalized Out of School Girls (OOSG), girls living with disability, educator facilitators (teachers of this accelerated learning centers) and partners in advocating for and enhancing education. The material has also improved the quality of teaching and ensured attendance of girls in formal and non-formal learning to achieve the ultimate outcomes of learning, transition, and sustainability.
This project has enhanced life chances of Out of School Girls who have successfully completed their vocational training and have secured employment.
“Many girls have the mentality that mechanics is a trade for men and not women. They fear lying under a vehicle while doing the repairs. In mechanics we use our legs, especially where the job is too heavy for the hands, and it is okay. I am grateful to have been a beneficiary of this programme. I can now comfortably work and earn an income to support myself and my family,” stated Christine Karisa, a project beneficiary from Magharini, Kilifi County. 
Christine Karisa gets a helping hand while working on an engine.
Since inception, the project has benefited over 5,000 girls. The project is being implemented by three partners namely ActionAid International Kenya (as the lead) and Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) Kenya and Leonard Cheshire as members.
Authors: Mary Consolata Makokha (Communications Officer, Education for Life Project). Edited by Ezra Kiriago (Communications Coordinator AAIK)