CAREGIVER TO GBV SURVIVOR

“ I lived with my daughter and I noticed that she was not okay. She used to sit alone and think a lot. At some point she wanted to commit suicide. I interrogated her to find out what was wrong and she told me what the pastor had done to her. I took her to Karen hospital where we found out she was pregnant. We were then reffered to GVRC. Getting to learn what the pastor had done was so painful to me, I even thought of killing him at some point. At the support group I was advised not to take the law into my own hands.I was also taught on how to interact with children in the house and how to identify if they have troubling issues. We were taught on the steps to take when you encounter such a situation and also how to help others in similar situations. Before my daughter started going to the support group, she used to keep to herself but afterwards, she became open and was able to socialize. I would like to tell the parents who are going through the same thing I went through that they should not be silent. They are able to get help. May God bless GVRC for the good work they are doing.”

Catherine Ndunge Wambua

SURVIVOR

“ I live in Kibera and I have 7 children. In 2013, my husband lost his job and ended up staying home. I then found out that he was having incestuous relations with my eldest daughter while I was at work. My daughter fell pregnant and later had an abortion. They continued with the affair for a while. One day, my daughter opened up to me and shared all that had happened. I was devastated and I even planned to kill my husband. When I confronted my husband about the affair, he beat me up. At the time I was 7 months pregnant. My husband and daughter later left and are now living together as man and wife. This was a very trying period for me as I would get stares everywhere I went because all the neighbors knew my story. I joined GVRC support group and I started attending the counselling sessions. I met fellow survivors and I realized that I was not alone. I am in a better place and I am grateful to the support group for the far it has brought me.”

Caroline Achieng

CAREGIVER TO GBV SURVIVOR

“ One morning, as Vincent was going to school, he met someone who offered to buy him mandazi. He then forced him into an abandoned house and asked him to undress. He forced himself on him and sodomized him. I received a call from the school with the news about what had happened to Vincent. The principal wrote a letter with which I took him to the nearby health clinic. The people I met at the clinic advised me to report the incident to the police. I was advised to take Vicent to GVRC for counselling sessions. During the sessions, I came to realize that we were not the only ones experiencing that kind of pain. The counselling helped me heal. After the sodomy, my son never used to talk. He was so afraid and he never wanted to speak to anyone. After the support group sessions, he is now able to socialize. I would like to advise those that are going through what we have gone through that they should not keep silent about it and if they know the perpetrator they should report them so that they don’t repeat the act on someone else”

Margaret Njeri Karanja

“ Mary faith Children’s home is a charitable children’s institution (CCi) which has been in existence since 2004. Currently, the centre is host to 21 GVRC survivors out of the 59 children there. A majority of the children are girls as the centre has a limit on male survivors, they can only stay until they are 10 years old, after which they are transferred to another home if they have not been reintegrated with their families. We get girls from the community or some from police stations or hospitals like Nairobi Women’s Hospital. We receive calls to offer a safe place for girls who have been defiled. We pick them and bring them here. After that, we make a report at the police station and then the case is taken to court. We also do follow up counselling for the girls. Those that are pregnant are taken for antenatal services. When they give birth, we take them back to school to continue with their education. We have worked with GVRC for several years. We do the follow up of cases until judgement is given. After judgement, if the relatives are ready to receive the child, we assist with easing them back to the family. if the relatives are not ready, we request the court to give an order so that the child can be placed in the children’s home. ”

Mary Njeri, Director – Mary Faith Children’s Centre

GBV SURVIVOR

“One day on my way to school, I met a man who offered to buy me mandazI. I did not hesitate because I was very hungry. He then asked me to accompany him to an abandoned house where he sodomized me. He left me unconscious and after a while I regained consciousness. I then went to school and explained the ordeal to the school principal. The principal took me to the nearest health centre and afterwards we reported the Incident to the police. We then went to GVRC where a nurse and a counsellor attended to me. After I was sodomized, I was sad and I thought that I had contracted HIV. I used to get very angry and I would lose my appetite for food. I used to attend support group sessions at GVRC where I got to play with other children and eat good food. During the support group sessions, we were taught not to talk to strangers and that we should not trust anyone. I have learnt that It Is Important to scream if someone wants to sodomize you so that you can get help. At the support group, I got encouragement and counselling which really helped me. I am now performing well in school and I am also able to play well with other children. ”

Vincent Karanja

TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISION

“We have been able to work with GVRC to capacity build teachers in various areas and various counties. Through this capacity building, we were able to create a number of child protectors who are teachers and we call them “champions” in certain counties. The teachers play a very big role in ensuring that whatever is happening on the ground is reported to our main office. GVRC has also been able to help us with referrals. When we have a case on the ground, we are able to call them. GVRC have been able to reach out to our teachers through exhibitions, teachers conferences and other forums. They have been able to come and sensitize our staff members on the need of having certain policies like the gender based violence and sexual harassment policies within our work place.”

Zipporah Musengi