Girl in blue t-shirt sitting in an empty classroom

Will you stand with girls who are left behind?

Girls born into poor families in Kenya are robbed of their futures. They are pulled out of school and forced into child marriage for their dowries. As a result, girls have no choice but to become wives and mothers at an early age and can face a lifetime of poverty and abuse.

It’s not right. But it CAN change.

VSO is helping girls take control of their futures. Equipped with VSO-provided learning materials and hygiene kits, girls attend VSO learning centres where they learn the skills they need to break the cycle of poverty.

But there are thousands of girls we still need to urgently reach. 
Will you help make sure no girl is left behind? Donate today and be part of the change you want to see.

Girl wearing a blue t-shirt in classroom in Kenya
VSO/Paul Wambugu
Elizabeth in the learning centre.

Help girls who are being robbed of their futures

In rural Kenya, girls living in extreme poverty are forced out of school and into early marriage. They are expected to have children while they are still children themselves. Sadly, many often find themselves trapped in violent marriages.  

Elizabeth* was forced to leave school at only 11 so she could get married. Her family lived in extreme poverty, with hardly any food and needed the relief her dowry would bring. She became a mother at just 13, trapped in the cycle of poverty, facing violence from her husband. 

Attending VSO’s learning centres has been a lifeline for Elizabeth. She can now be a child again and play and laugh with other girls. She attends fun and interactive classes, and she loves learning again. 

The centres are open three days a week to girls aged 10-19 and VSO teachers help them catch up on essential skills like reading, writing and maths that are necessary to help them break the cycle of poverty.

In the future I want to have my own small business – a grocery shop. I will sell tomatoes and green vegetables and make enough money to buy soap to wash myself and my clothes. This will make me happy.

Elizabeth
14 year old Elizabeth with her baby, her teacher and her mentor.
Elizabeth with her teacher Rael Nyahiri  (left) and her mentor Regina (right).

Her VSO mentor, Regina, is a vital source of support for her. She is a source of joy and encouragement for Elizabeth and helps her stay on track with her education. Having Regina to help with childcare while she’s studying is also a huge weight off her shoulders.

By donating to VSO, you can help girls build better futures today while helping the next generation of girls too. Your gift could help girls build the skills, resources and knowledge they need to lift themselves out of poverty. 

 Please donate today and help make sure no girl is left behind. Every penny makes a difference. 

Donate now

*Pseudonyms have been used to protect identities.

17 year old, Evalyne, with her mentor Gati

Our promise to you

It's important to us that you feel completely confident and comfortable in supporting VSO. As part of our promise to you:

  • We will always treat your personal information with the strictest confidence.
  • We will be transparent with how your donations are spent.
  • We will always be in control of your

Read our full promise