The Academic and Vocational Training programs available through Mercy House Kenya create economic opportunities that prepare the girls for when they leave.  These programs help break the cycle of abuse, poverty, and orphans in the streets of Kenya.

Focus Areas:  

Education-Our teen residents are school-aged girls and since many Kenyan schools don't allow pregnant girls to continue their education, our girls have fallen behind in their studies. The maternity home provides our residents with a safe, positive environment for the students to continue their studies. During the First Phase, our girls participate in homeschool curriculum with one on one tutoring. As our girls enter Phase 2 of our program, we will provide more intense education opportunities to help our girls prepare to pass their Form 1 exam (or 8th grade equivalent). In early 2013, we will be hiring qualified teachers to help take our in-house school to the next level. Once our girls reach this stage and enter Phase 3 (year 3), if they qualify they will be able to pursue secondary education at a partnering Girls School.

Vocational Training 

Many of our girls will choose a vocational tract after Form 1 due to personal desire or because they simply missed too much school and aren't able to catch up. We are still in the process of developing this tract, but we hope to offer the following in-depth training:

--Beautician Training:hair weaving, braiding, manicures, pedicures

--Tailoring: sewing by hand, with a machine, creating clothes, accessories and home decor

--Computer courses

--Small Business Training: opening a restaurant or small shop

Other Areas of Education we provide:

Skills for Living-  It is imperative the girls are trained with skills for living: preparing and cooking nutritional meals, gardening, shopping in the local market, bargaining for the best price, cleaning, laundry, budgeting finances and childcare. Much of this training will happen by living and working together. 

Personal Economic Development Account:

All proceeds from product goes to Rehema House in Nairobi, Kenya. Rehema House allocates a portion of the funds it receives from the items sold for the future sustainability of each girl.

Spiritual-This is the most important part of the program because we can offer opportunity, but only Christ can offer true hope. Every aspect of the home occurs from a prayerful perspective. Sound Biblical teaching will occur on a daily basis, with morning devotions. Regular church attendance is required. While religion is not forced and girls don't have to be Christians to live in the maternity home, they do have to participate in meetings. The local church is a resource and much of the outreach will be done through them.