We have some big news to share. On April 9, 2026, the Ministry of Education’s State Department for Basic Education granted Polycom Girls a formal Letter of Authority to access schools in Nairobi County and implement our Talking Boxes activities there for the 2026-2027 calendar year.
It follows a request we submitted on June 20, 2025. We are grateful to the Ministry, and to the Principal Secretary, who signed the letter, for their trust and partnership.
What this means for our work
The Ministry’s letter says it expects Polycom Girls to work closely with it to help young girls realize their full potential. We will do that by raising awareness and building skills in three areas:
- Lifeskills and Leadership Mentoring: helping girls build confidence, make informed decisions and see themselves as leaders.
- Menstrual Health Management: making sure no girl misses school, or her dignity, because of her period.
- Child Rights Education: teaching girls to know their rights, speak up for themselves and understand where to turn for help.
All of this is delivered through our Boresha Binti Program which is a life-skills mentorship program run by Polycom Girls in Kibera, Nairobi, for adolescent girls and boys in 50 partner schools, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health education. Its listed activities include school workshops on menstrual health, contraception and STI prevention, one-on-one and group mentorship, peer-led initiatives, and community outreach that involves parents
Boresha Binti Program is anchored on restoring hope and dignity to school-going girls who became pregnant and dropped out during the pandemic, through outreaches that also covered basic needs such as food.
The commitments that come with the authority
The authority is granted on four conditions, and we welcome each of them because they reflect the values we already work by:
- Compliance with government policies and legislation, so that learners stay safe.
- Services provided free of charge. Every girl deserves access, whatever her family’s circumstances.
- No disruption to the learning process. Our sessions complement the classroom and never compete with it.
- Privacy and confidentiality for all participants, especially learners.
The Ministry also expects the organization to meet all implementation costs, including monitoring and evaluation. We will work closely with County Directors of Education and the Office of the Director General of Education, and we will submit quarterly and annual progress reports to the Principal Secretary’s office. That accountability keeps us honest and keeps our impact measurable.
Looking ahead
The Ministry’s letter also notes its projection to work in all 22 hot spot counties where FGM is most prevalent. We see this as a sign of how seriously the government takes the wellbeing of girls, and we are glad to be part of that effort.
How you can walk with us
This approval opens doors, but doors are only useful when people walk through them. Here is how you can help:
- Schools and teachers: reach out to us about hosting G-Pende sessions.
- Parents and guardians: talk to your daughters about what they learn and encourage their participation.
- Partners and donors: because the Ministry expects us to meet implementation costs, your support directly helps us reach more girls.
- Everyone: share this news and help us spread the word.
To get in touch, write to us at info@polycomgirls.or.ke.
Together, we are helping every girl step onto the field, and into her future, with confidence.