This week, WA-WA Kenya participated in a strategic meeting with KGGA (Kenya Girl Guides Association) in partnership with UNICEF at the Activate Action Centre in Kodiero. The focus was addressing critical gaps affecting adolescent girls, including teen mothers, through the establishment of a new network.

The Network’s Vision

The initiative aims to create safe spaces where girls can:

•  Air their views – express challenges, hopes, and solutions

•  Discover power within – build self-awareness, confidence, and resilience

•  Develop power to – acquire skills and agency to act on their own behalf

•  Build power with – collaborate and advocate collectively for change

For adolescent girls in Homa Bay’s fishing communities, exploitation – including sex-for-fish – remains a daily threat. By equipping them with voice, knowledge, and networks, we help them resist harmful practices and shape their own futures.

WA-WA Kenya is committed to contributing to this network and ensuring the girls we serve are empowered to lead, speak, and thrive.

Contact WA-WA Kenya:
0725 569 594 / 0717 348 546
 info@wawakenya.org
 www.wawakenya.org

#WAWAKenya #KGGA #UNICEF #AdolescentGirls #TeenMothers #PowerWithin #PowerTo #PowerWith #EndSexForFish

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We’re excited to share the latest edition of the WA-WA Kenya Quarterly Newsletter, packed with stories of resilience, skills, and transformation from the first quarter of 2026.

Inside this issue:

•  Fish harvest update – our partnership with Rio Fish delivers

•  Poultry progress – thriving egg production from 9–13 month hens

•  Digital literacy – week 6 takes on MS PowerPoint

•  Fashion & design – trainees complete uniform order for Wanga Primary

•  Porridge program – nourishing women and children, thanks to Jo, Andrea & Mirjam

•  Plastic weaving – turning waste into beautiful baskets

 Read the full newsletter here: WA-WA KENYA Newsletter January- March 2026

We’re grateful to our partners, donors, and the incredible women making this work possible. Your support turns training into transformation.

Contact WA-WA Kenya:
0725 569 594 / 0795 590 095
 info@wawakenya.org
 www.wawakenya.org

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From Training to Order: Fashion Trainees Deliver for Wanga Primary

This week at WA-WA Kenya, our Fashion and Design trainees reached a significant milestone: completing a school uniform order for Wanga Primary. The video below captures the final moments, the precise pressing, the careful folding and the pride in a job well done.

What This Order Represents

For our trainees, this wasn’t just another sewing project. It was:

•  Applied Learning – Turning classroom skills into real products

•  Market Validation – A school trusting them with its uniform supply

•  Earned Income – Payment that supports families

•  Professional Growth – Experience that builds confidence and reputation

Why It Matters

In Homa Bay’s fishing communities, women who can produce quality school uniforms gain:

•  Steady Demand – Schools and parents need uniforms year after year

•  Repeat Business – Satisfied customers return and refer others

•  Community Respect – Recognized as skilled entrepreneurs

•  Freedom – A dignified alternative to sex-for-fish

What Comes Next

Encouraged by this successful order, our fashion trainees are ready for more. They are now equipped to take orders from other schools, parents, and organizations. Every order placed supports a woman building her independence.

Gratitude to Our Partners

We thank Giving Exchange and Tuifund for investing in our fashion program, and Wanga Primary for being a valued first customer. Your support turns training into transformation.

Place Your Order

Are you a school, parent, or organization in need of quality uniforms? Our trainees are ready to work with you. Contact us to discuss your needs.

Contact WA-WA Kenya:
0725 569 594 / 0795 590 095
 info@wawakenya.org
 www.wawakenya.org

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Fresh Bread, Brighter Futures: WA-WA Kenya Launches Bakery Project Funded by Orchard Foundation

We are rising to the occasion!

Thanks to the generous funding of the Orchard Foundation, WA-WA Kenya is thrilled to announce a brand new venture: The WA-WA Bakery, a sustainable income-generating project for women in Homa Bay.

 What’s happening?
10 women from fishing communities will receive hands-on training in pastry making, learning to produce, price, and sell baked goods. This is about turning dough into dignity and loaves into livelihoods.

 Why a bakery?
Because sustainable income shouldn’t be a luxury. This project offers:

• Entrepreneurship and baking skills

• A clear path away from sex-for-fish

• Long-term economic independence

 The goal?
Not just pastries, but possibilities. Each woman will build a micro-enterprise that feeds her family and her future.

“We’re not just baking bread – we’re baking hope, one batch at a time.” – WA-WA Kenya Team

We also extend our deep gratitude to all our donors and partners who continue to support our mission: Fred Foundation, Making More Health, Giving Exchange, Tuifund, System Changers Network, Manuela Pastore, Zoo Memorial, Rio Fish, and many more. Your collective belief in women makes transformations like this possible.

Stay tuned for flour-dusted updates and the sweet smell of empowerment.

Contact WA-WA Kenya:
0725 569 594 / 0717 348 546
 info@wawakenya.org
 www.wawakenya.org

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Every morning at WA-WA Kenya, something simple yet profound happens. Women and children gather to share a warm bowl of porridge, thanks to the incredible generosity of Jo, Andrea, and Mirjam.

This porridge program might seem small, but its impact ripples through everything we do.

More Than a Meal

For women attending our vocational training programs, this daily meal means:

•  Better Focus – Learning new skills without hunger as a distraction

•  Physical Strength – Energy for hands-on practice in tailoring, hairdressing, and farming

•  Emotional Comfort – Knowing their community cares

For children accompanying their mothers, it means:

•  Proper Nutrition – Essential for growing bodies

•  Energy to Play – The freedom to be kids

•  A Happy Start – Facing the day with smiles

The Ripple Effect

Good nutrition is foundational to everything we aim to achieve. Women learning to build businesses away from sex-for-fish need energy for that work. Children deserve to grow healthy and strong. This program ensures both.

Our Deepest Gratitude

Jo, Andrea, and Mirjam, your care for our community touches lives in ways you may never see. Thank you for:

•  Ensuring no one starts the day hungry

•  Choosing to invest in health and well-being

•  Showing what compassion looks like in action

You are true partners in this work, and we are so grateful.

Support Nutrition Programs

Help us continue nourishing our community:

•  Donate to our daily meal programs

•  Partner with us to expand nutrition initiatives

•  Share this story to inspire others

Contact WA-WA Kenya:
0725 569 594 / 0717348546
 info@wawakenya.org
 www.wawakenya.org

The post WA-WA Kenya Porridge Program: A Bowl of Hope appeared first on WaWa Kenya.

This week at WA-WA Kenya, our hairdressing cohort is focused on mastering branding and twisting techniques, popular protective styles that require precision, creativity, and technical skill. Under the guidance of experienced trainers, women are learning that these seemingly simple styles demand practice and expertise.

What They’re Learning

Trainees are developing proficiency in:

•  Sectioning Techniques – Creating clean, even parts for uniform twists

•  Tension Control – Ensuring client comfort while achieving desired results

•  Pattern Design – From classic two-strand twists to intricate variations

•  Finishing Methods – Professional sealing and styling techniques

•  Client Consultation – Understanding preferences and managing expectations

Why These Skills Matter

In Homa Bay’s fishing communities, professional styling skills offer a powerful alternative to sex-for-fish. Branding and twisting are:

• High-demand services – Clients seek protective styles year-round

• Time-efficient – Allows women to serve multiple clients daily

• Portable – Can be offered from home, salons, or mobile

• Lucrative – Skilled stylists command premium prices

The Journey to Independence

Every twist mastered brings these women closer to their goals. Whether opening their own salons or building a loyal client base through home services, they’re creating futures defined by skill, not survival.

Support Vocational Training

Help us empower more women through comprehensive hairdressing education:

•  Donate professional styling tools and products

•  Partner with us to expand program reach

•  Share these stories to amplify our mission

Contact WA-WA Kenya:
0725 569 594 / 0795 590 095
 info@wawakenya.org
 www.wawakenya.org

#WAWAKenya #HairdressingTraining #ProtectiveStyles #EndSexForFish #WomenEmpowerment #Homabay #TurningTablesAroundLakeVictoria #lightupimpact #makingmorehealth #systemchangernetwork #togetherwomencan 

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At WA-WA Kenya, we believe that solutions to community challenges often lie within the community itself. Our plastic basket weaving business exemplifies this truth, transforming environmental pollution into economic opportunity for women in Homa Bay.

The Art of Upcycling

Our talented artisans collect discarded plastic, carefully clean and prepare it, and then weave it into beautiful, durable baskets that rival any traditional craft. Each piece is:

•  Handmade with care and skill

•  Eco-friendly – keeping plastic out of landfills and Lake Victoria

•  Durable – designed for everyday use

•  Unique – no two baskets are exactly alike

Why This Matters

For women in Homa Bay’s fishing communities, this business offers something revolutionary:

•  Dignified Income – Earnings through skill, not survival

•  Environmental Leadership – Women as stewards of their communities

•  Sustainable Enterprise – Ongoing demand for eco-friendly products

•  Freedom from Exploitation – A real alternative to sex-for-fish

The Ripple Effect

Beyond the income, this program creates:

• Community Pride – Seeing waste transformed into beauty

• Skill Development – Women mastering a traditional craft with modern purpose

• Environmental Awareness – Inspiring others to rethink waste

• Economic Independence – Women supporting families through their own efforts

Support Our Artisans

Help us expand this impactful program:

•  Purchase a basket for your home or as a gift

•  Partner with us to reach new markets

•  Share our story to amplify our mission

•  Donate clean plastic materials for weaving

Contact WA-WA Kenya:
0725 569 594 / 0795 590 095
 info@wawakenya.org
 www.wawakenya.org

#WAWAKenya #PlasticWeaving #UpcycledBaskets #EcoFriendly #EndSexForFish #WomenEmpowerment #Homabay #SystemChangerNetwork #tuifund #makingmorehealth

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We are delighted to share a heartwarming update from WA-WA Kenya’s poultry farm! Our hens, now aged 9 to 13 months, are in their prime laying stage, producing plenty of fresh eggs daily for our women and their communities.

The Numbers Behind the Success

Our consistent 93-98% daily production rate means:

•  Hundreds of eggs reaching families each week

•  Reliable income flowing to women managing the coops

•  Improved nutrition for children and households

•  Proof of concept that sustainable agriculture works

Watch the Video

The attached footage shows our healthy, happy hens and the dedicated women who care for them daily. Their commitment transforms these chickens into livelihoods.

Why This Matters

In Homa Bay’s fishing communities, the sex-for-fish practice has long trapped women in cycles of exploitation. Our poultry business offers something radical: a dignified, sustainable way to earn income through honest work.

Every egg laid represents:

• A woman earning without compromising her safety

• A child receiving protein instead of going hungry

• A community seeing women as entrepreneurs, not commodities

Gratitude to Our Supporters

This success wouldn’t be possible without the partners who believed in this vision and the women who show up every day to care for these birds. Thank you for making this possible.

Support Sustainable Agriculture

Help us expand this impactful program:

•  Donate feed, vaccines, or coop supplies

•  Partner with us to reach more women

•  Share this video to amplify our mission

Contact WA-WA Kenya:
0725 569 594 / 0795 590 095
 info@wawakenya.org
 www.wawakenya.org

#WAWAKenya #PoultryFarming #EggProduction #SustainableLivelihoods #EndSexForFish #TurningTablesAroundLakeVictoria #Homabay #SystemChangerNetwork #WomenEmpowerment #Tuifund

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At WA-WA Kenya, we believe true empowerment requires more than technical proficiency. That’s why this week, our Beauty Therapy cohort is diving deep into an essential component of professional success: life skills and communication training.

What They’re Learning

Under the guidance of our experienced trainers, women are developing:

•  Client Consultation Techniques – Understanding needs, setting expectations

•  Active Listening – Building trust through genuine connection

•  Conflict Resolution – Handling difficult situations professionally

•  Professional Etiquette – Presenting themselves with confidence

•  Boundary Setting – Protecting their wellbeing in professional spaces

Why This Matters

For women transitioning away from sex-for-fish in Homa Bay’s fishing communities, these skills are transformative. Communication training helps them:

• Advocate for themselves in business negotiations

• Command respect from clients and community members

• Build sustainable businesses rooted in trust and professionalism

• Develop confidence that extends far beyond the salon

The Holistic WA-WA Approach

This training reflects our commitment to holistic empowerment. We don’t just teach women to style hair, we prepare them to be entrepreneurs, leaders, and advocates for their own futures. Technical skills open doors; life skills ensure they walk through them with confidence.

Support Holistic Training

Help us continue empowering women through comprehensive skills development:

•  Sponsor communication workshops and resources

•  Partner with us to expand life skills curriculum

•  Share our stories to amplify our mission

Contact WA-WA Kenya:
0725 569 594 / 0795 590 095
 info@wawakenya.org
 www.wawakenya.org

#WAWAKenya #BeautyTherapy #LifeSkills #CommunicationSkills #EndSexForFish #WomenEmpowerment #Homabay #TurningTablesAroundLakeVictoria #ProfessionalDevelopment

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We are delighted to share exciting news from our aquaculture program: a successful and plentiful fish harvest from our cages in Lake Victoria! This milestone was achieved through our valued partnership with Rio Fish, whose technical expertise has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining our fish farming initiative.

The Harvest at a Glance

The recent harvest yielded a significant quantity of healthy fish, directly benefiting women-led households in Homa Bay’s fishing communities. These fish represent:

•  Nutritional Security – Fresh protein for families

•  Sustainable Income – Revenue from sales supports livelihoods

•  Economic Alternatives – A dignified option away from sex-for-fish

Why This Matters

For generations, women in fishing communities have faced limited economic choices, often turning to the dangerous sex-for-fish practice for survival. Our fish farming program, supported by Rio Fish, offers a radical alternative: the ability to earn a dignified income through sustainable aquaculture.

Every successful harvest reinforces that women can thrive without compromising their safety or dignity. It’s proof that community-led solutions work.

Gratitude to Our Partners

We extend our deepest thanks to Rio Fish for their ongoing technical support, training, and commitment to this project. Your expertise transforms potential into reality.

We also thank the women managing these cages, your dedication makes this possible every single day.

Support Sustainable Aquaculture

Help us expand this impactful program:

•  Partner with us to install more cages

•  Share expertise in fish farming and value addition

•  Amplify our story to attract more support

Contact WA-WA Kenya:
0725 569 594 / 0795 590 095
 info@wawakenya.org
 www.wawakenya.org

#WAWAKenya #RioFish #FishFarming #SustainableLivelihoods #EndSexForFish #TurningTablesAroundLakeVictoria #Aquaculture #WomenEmpowerment #Homabay

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