Ganze Girls Education
AMREF’s progress in Ganze!
In Kenya’s Kaloleni district nearly 80 per cent of girls drop out of high school. This is double the drop out rate of boys from the same district.
Similar to neighboring countries Kenyan girls face numerous barriers that lead to high drop out rates. Girls feel the burden of HIV/AIDS most severely - when a family member falls sick girls are the sole-caregivers. They also face early marriage, high teenage pregnancy rates and rampant child labour because of poverty.
Many Kenyan schools lack basic infrastructure such as girl-friendly sanitation facilities. Classrooms are dilapidated and dormitories are overcrowded. 
Update from Ganze!
February 2011
AMREF is pleased to report that over the last six months significant progress has been made rebuilding infrastructure at Ganze Girls School and improving community health.
Like all of AMREF’s programs, our staff have been working closely with the Kaloleni community including the Ganze School’s Parent Teacher Association, local council officials as well as Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation representatives.
Community members have advised AMREF on the local health and education needs. They have also contributed construction materials and provided free labour to reduce costs!
Science Lab
Strengthening the school’s science program is an important priority. Science education broadens students’ career options – often leading them to careers as doctors, nurses or other health care professionals.
Construction of the modern science lab is expected to be complete in the next few months.
Dormotories and Toilets
Prior to AMREF’s work at Ganze School the dormitories could only accommodate 150 of the schools’ 305 students – leaving 155 girls commuting 10 to 15 kilometres to and from school everyday. All 305 girls were also forced to share 6 pit latrines and there were no accessible bathing facilities.
Thankfully this is changing. Right now 10 new toilets are being built as well as two new dormitories – ensuring girls won’t have to travel far distances to school and improving sanitation.
Distributing Malaria Nets
AMREF has purchased 500 mosquito nets used to prevent malaria. All 305 girls at the school have received a net and the remaining nets will be given to new students.
When the girls were given the nets they also completed health education courses on malaria and other disease prevention.
PHASE Kits (Personal Hygiene and Sanitation Education)
So far 40 PHASE kits have been distributed to Ganze School. PHASE (Personal Hygiene and Sanitation Education) is a simple learning tool that promotes good hygiene, sanitation and water use.
Education Brings Better Health
The connection between girls education and improved community health is undeniable.
When girls graduate from high school child mortality, fertility and malnutrition rates are all reduced. There are fewer early marriages and HIV infections.
Education also promotes peace, social development and equity – it is an integral part of empowering people out of poverty and towards healthier lives.
Major Project Funders:
Ganze Girls’ Education is a project supported by the generosity of AG Hair Cosmetics' CEOs John and Lotte Davis. Find out more about other SCHOOL:girls initiatives here.
Find out more about AMREF's work in;
Ethiopia
South Africa
Southern Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
