Stretchers Youth Organization SRHR Champion engaging with a fellow young person on the correct use of a condom in a Mombasa County village.
The group’s goals of improving health, governance, gender equality, and sustainability, make it an excellent partner for Population Connection, which supports the rights and empowerment of people—including youth–everywhere.
By empowering and educating youth and adolescents, Stretchers helps set them up for good health and success, while facilitating youth involvement in sustainable development.
“As a male SRHR champion, I want to thank Stretchers Youth Organization for this training, where I learned that it is important to advocate for contraceptives. Contraceptives help reduce unwanted pregnancies, and give girls and women a chance to have the number of children of their own choice. I will ensure that I pass this information to my fellow men in the community.” Participant in Stretchers Youth Training
Population Connection sponsored the one-year Stretchers project Kijana Imarika Bonga Elimika (Project KIBE) in 2020. The goal of Project KIBE was to improve the sexual and reproductive health of children and adolescent aged 10–24 years, and to strengthen HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services.
Mombasa’s young people contend with many health problems, the most prevalent being sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, drug and substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and sexual and gender-based violence.
Project KIBE’s educational activities—mostly virtual due to the pandemic—included outreach such as events for International Women’s Day and Day of the African Child. One of the organization’s young activists did a live broadcast about teenage pregnancy on the Kenya Broadcasting Company!
Despite the logistical and health difficulties resulting from Covid-19, in 2020, Project KIBE reached 773 adolescent and young people with its educational programs, community youth villages, community dialogue, international days, policymakers meeting, and The Girl Summit event. Stretchers also conducted SRHR training for “champions,” adolescent stakeholders who advocate for, and educate their peers about, these issues.
Population Connection also funded the Adolescents and Youth Empowerment for Health Advocacy Project (AYEHA) starting in 2022. AYEHA sought to address concerns raised through Community Talking Boxes (through which young people can voice anonymous suggestions and concerns), shaping its content around the specific needs and voices of the youth. The insights gathered from the Community Talking Boxes guided the project activities, with a focus on comprehensive sexuality education, human rights, gender equality, and empowerment.
During the period spanning from May to October 2023, a total of 24 mentorship sessions were conducted across 10 schools equipped with Community Talking Boxes, with some sessions reaching more than 60 students. Fifty-nine adolescents learned about family planning and committed to educating their peers on responsible usage. Stretchers Youth Organization also took part in public forums, and planned and delivered community activities to raise awareness around gender-based violence and menstrual hygiene.
Doctor Mohammed from Jomvu sub-county encouraging adolescents and young people to access SRHR services in community health facilities 
Muslim religious leader talking about the importance of comprehensive sex education with young community members 
Young mother from Ganahola slum, Mikindani sharing her story about the challenges she experienced throughout her early pregnancy. 
Melvine Ouyo, Population Connection representative, encouraging adolescents and young people to speak out about SRHR 
Evans Ouma, the Program Manager for Stretchers, sharing comprehensive sexual education with adolescents during a sports activity in Changamwe sub-county. 
Stretchers Executive Director, Dickson Okong'o briefing key policy makers in Mombasa County about key issues impacting women and girls. 
Rebbeca Achieng (Adolescent Officer for Stretchers) sharing information about SRHR at a community youth meeting in Mamlai village, Jomvu sub-county. 
Adolescent officer from Stretchers, Rebecca Achieng, being interviewed about SRHR issues and advocating for the expansion of quality health services. 
Rebecca Achieng, Stretchers Youth Organization Adolescent & Liaison Officer and SRHR champion, sitting on a SRHR conference panel in Nairobi 
Stretchers Executive Director(Dickson Okong’o) engaging security actors on International Day of Peace 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. 
Stretchers staff posing for a photo during the celebration of International Women’s Day 2020 themed “I am generation Equality: realizing Women’s rights”. 
Stretchers project officer engaging informal workers during a community outreach forum in Mikindani, Mombasa County. 
Stretchers project officer engaging BodaBoda Youth on peace and security during a stage talk in Jomvu sub-county. 
AHEYA participants speaking at the 2023 Girl Summit in Nairobi commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child. 
Rebecca Achieng', a mentor at Umoja Primary School, collecting insights from students while conducting an AYEHA session on values and behaviors. Through our Global Partners program, Population Connection supports a growing number of grassroots organizations around the world working to increase access to education, public health and family planning services. Their…
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