Idaho group empowers Kenyan girls through sustainable skill building

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Idahoans are making a difference far beyond our nation's borders.

The Life Together Alliance has made it its mission to support girls in Kenya by teaching them sustainable life skills.

What began as a mission to distribute much-needed reusable feminine hygiene kits to these girls in need became a journey of teaching sewing and other sustainable skills to support them.

During their prior visit to Kisii, they distributed 200 of dignity kits. During this previous visit, they quadrupled the number of these kits. 75% of these kits were handmade by their sewing students.

"We brought with us again another 200 reusable feminine hygiene kits donated from Girls Matter Period in Arizona," Laura Kelley, Life Together Alliance's leader, said. "And our girls had sewn 600 reusable feminine hygiene kits. And so we did four events where we distributed 200 dignity kits at each event. when we did these events our girls kind of took the lead."

Each Dignity Kit comes with:

• 10 reusable pads
• 2 waterproof holders
• A washcloth
• Soap
• And a bag

The organization says these kits can last upwards of 5 years. Creating a dignity kit costs only $5 USD.

The kits aren't the only thing making an impact, Laura has noticed a very positive change with the girls.

"These girls last year they didn't have the confidence. They couldn't look you in the eyes. They weren't seen, they weren't heard. They were invisible. And now they've been given the voice. They've been given the confidence; they are empowered. You see the difference in them, and you see them grow to become the queens that they are."

As these girls continue to grow in their learning, they are also beginning to teach other young girls the art of the trade. Inspiring a more stable and sustainable community.

"They're not only supplying the kits to help other girls," Laura said. "They're also training other girls to be, you know, be the heroes in their own story."

The Life Together Alliance's ultimate goal is to ensure this community of young women won't have to rely on foreign aid someday. They want to give these women the much-needed hand-up to empower their community and all of the other women in it.

"Kenya is a very patriarchal society. And for a long time even, I think up until maybe last year, they weren't even allowed to own land," Laura said. "To be able to show girls their worth and that they have value and they matter and they are seen and they are heard and their voices matter. I don't take lightly. I actually feel very honored to be able to do that."

Laura doesn't know when their next trip to Kenya will be, but they are extremely grateful for the local communities' continued support of their mission. They could not have made the impact they have without the love and support.

"I just want to thank our community because like I have said, every dollar, every penny, everything goes directly to our programs."

If you are interested in supporting their mission, here is their Linktree. If you are interested in purchasing a handmade bag, headband, or skirt made by the students to support their mission, they will be featured at area craft fairs, including the upcoming Boutique in mid-September.

Laura will also update their social media with more information on where to purchase.