You are doing important work at K-MET and I appreciate your dedication VERY much.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

I think that these issues of attitude are extremely deep and they go back to the situations where these girls grew up; that’s why I think it’s still important to address the environment where they live, at least with the goal of changing the climate for their daughters and future girls in their shoes. This is a huge task, but since each of these girls was affected by early sexual activity and perhaps pregnancy, reproductive health is a big part of it for them.

A MAJOR component of K-MET’s work here is their focus on reproductive health; educating people about how their bodies work, what their rights are, and what their options are for protecting themselves from STDs and early pregnancy. But as I mentioned – so much of this also comes down to the men in the community. K-MET recently did a study about the men http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47274, which they will use to help identify areas that they can work in to change these attitudes. But you can see… “A woman’s role is to give birth to children” ….these views of women, sexuality, and responsibility are deeply cultural. It will take extensive work by African leaders to determine African solutions to these issues.

I’m not here to say to condemn anyone; but I am here to support a group of people who have identified attitudes and behaviors that they want to change in their own communities.

As they do it, I’m here to learn, to offer support to local leaders where I can, and most of all, to tell the story. Thanks for learning along with me!

I am impressed that Kiva is flexible and humble enough to adapt/adjust programming as new information becomes available. I am confident that this management trait will ultimately lead to the program’s success.

You allude to the issue of how men perceive these women, and the possible negative affect the lack of change in their perception may have on the success of the women attaining independence.

Can you elaborate on this? Can you offer suggestions for how Kiva can help change the men’s (and surely many women’s) negative perception of female independence in this community?

Might there be a program or local marketing campaign that communicates to men and the community-at-large the benefits THEY would see if women learn these skills and contribute to the community? Is something like this already in place?

The seemingly negative impression men have about female independence may slowly wane if we can prove to them that they will benefit from the women’s independence (for example, they create new demand for services — the female caterer will need a mechanic to fix her delivery van, right?).

I am eager to read your next post!

Unilove aka Lisa

Such a great life education you & Joel are getting. Kudos for your great efforts & dedication.

Sandy