International Day of The Girl Child 2025 – SIAF

Welcome to a day dedicated to celebrating the power, potential, and rights of girls all around the world – International Day of the Girl Child

SI Club of Kisumu: Scholarship, Mentorship and Leadership Training Programme

In collaboration with SI Club of Aarhus, Denmark and SI Club of Aarau, Switzerland

The SI Club of Kisumu continues to transform lives through its Scholarship, Mentorship and Leadership Training Programme, a powerful initiative that is equipping vulnerable girls with the tools to thrive and lead.

Tackling the Challenge

In many communities, poverty, gender bias, and lack of opportunities expose girls to early marriage, gender-based violence, health risks, and social disempowerment. Without education and support, their voices remain unheard and their potential goes unrealised.

Identifying and Supporting Girls

Working closely with community scouts and school administrators, the programme identifies vulnerable girls aged 14–26 from disadvantaged backgrounds. These girls are then supported with scholarships to pursue high-quality education in safe, boarding institutions, ensuring that they have both the resources and the environment they need to succeed.

Why It Matters

By empowering 40 girls through education, mentorship and leadership training, the programme is:

• Fostering future female leaders.
• Challenging harmful gender norms.
• Building more inclusive, equitable communities.

This initiative is firmly aligned with Soroptimist International’s mission of education, empowerment and gender equality, and contributes to the achievement of global development goals.

A Unique Mentorship Model

The programme uses a flexible mentorship approach, combining:

• Formal and informal guidance
• Peer and reverse mentorship
• Digital support

This model ensures that mentees receive holistic, tailored support throughout their journey.

Objectives

The vision of the project is simple yet powerful: Educate, Empower and Enable girls to lead and inspire.
Through education, leadership opportunities and community engagement, the girls become confident, empowered agents of change.

How It Works

Implementation includes:

• Hands-on residential training and leadership sessions
• Mini-workshops designed to build skills and resilience
• Safe spaces for open dialogue
• Mentor training and stakeholder networking
• Continuous evaluation to track progress and outcomes

Impact and Outcomes

Since 2018, the programme has already seen 12 mentees graduate, with 3 now active members of SI Club of Kisumu, Kenya. Graduates emerge with the confidence and skills to mentor others, influence positive social change, and champion gender equality in their communities.

Monitoring and Sustainability

The programme uses regular participatory reviews, documentation and stakeholder engagement to measure impact and continuously improve. Sustainability is ensured through mentee ownership, continued mentor support, and strong collaboration with communities and stakeholders.

Building a Future of Empowered Girls

The Scholarship, Mentorship and Leadership Training Programme demonstrates the power of partnership and the lasting impact of investing in girls. By educating and empowering them today, Soroptimist International is building the leaders of tomorrow.

Watch the video below to find out more about this fantastic project.