KOROGOCHO, nicknamed “Koch” by locals is the third largest informal settlement in Nairobi. Roughly the size of 5 football fields, it is a cramped settlement of mud walled, corrugated tin shacks segmented by trash strewn roads and open sewers. There is real hunger here and residents must cope with corrupt local boards, clannism and horrendous crime. Babies and children are targets for every conceivable sexual torture. Prosecution of sexual predators is almost unheard of. The sad truth is the vast majority of sexual assaults go unreported as victims face brutal retaliatory violence.

This is where IWD was borne!

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Self-Defense:

Self-Defense is about effectively ending an attack, quickly and with minimum harm to yourself.

Our team - nicknamed “Skybound” is composed of 5 women and 3 men. Our general practice is to go from slum to slum visiting schools, churches, women groups and organized community groups to teach Self-Defense. We work 6 days a week, year round and provide 4 different sets of Self-Defense classes.

Children Self-Defense Class- Mixed boys and girls- ages 7-11 Class length – 1 hour

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In Kenya 85% of all sexual assaults occur in the home with someone the victim knows. Through the use of songs, puppets, role-plays and Full Force Drills (FFD) our children’s class offers effective, memorable, physical, verbal, and situational Self-Defense skills. Many of our young clients are orphans and we begin each class with an assurance they may not have heard before, that they are special, they have a purpose for being here and that they are Worth Defending Always. We help children identify possible dangers and get away from them.

Teen Girls Self-Defense Class-Girls Only – ages 12 -25 Class time -3 hours

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Teen Girls Self-Defense Class

Disabled Self-Defense Class

Our teen girl’s class is definitely our most popular because they are in a crucial period in their lives. The girls are particularly vulnerable to be seduced and exploited by men. The girls eagerly attend our classes and the mood is joyful and receptive. The class begins with an introduction to the many types of Self-Defense; emotional, verbal, psychological, spiritual and physical. The discussion expands outward into the forms they may take in real life situations. The girls role play throughout the class, testing strategies and then breaking for discussion on issues like body ownership, boundary setting, and assertiveness techniques. What’s more the speed at which our equipment wears out is a sure sign that something more than meets the eyes is indeed burning inside of them-RAGE and a stronger conviction that they are worth defending and can do so themselves.

Teen boys Anti Rape/Life Skills Class- Boys Only- Ages 12 - 24 Class time; 90 minutes Instructors; Male onlyyy

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Our new class for boys and young men is truly revolutionary! IWD uses a no holds barred curriculum which puts urgent yet taboo subjects on the table for full discussion. Nothing is left out! Our 8 Rules for Living traverses modern thought from around the world on topics such as equal rights for women, anti-rape measures, condoms, masturbation, pornography, and the attributes of a true "Gentleman."

By bringing boys into the anti-rape dialogue our program nurtures the moral and intellectual development of Africa’s future fathers, workers, husbands and voters. We welcome them wholeheartedly into the debate and believe their education and input are profoundly important to the over all health and prosperity of the world now and in the future. We inculcate in them the fact that they must take responsibility for their actions.

Rape Survivors Anonymous (RSA):

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The first and only Rape Survivors Anonymous meetings in all of Kenya are held in our office twice weekly. The only requirement for membership is that one be a survivor of rape or attempted rape. We began with 3 women and that number has since risen to over 50 steady attendees. In a culture where rape is perpetuated by the silence and stigma it carries, we believe these meetings provide a basis for sharing that does not exist anywhere else in this society. By revealing to other survivors the story of her attack a woman is more likely to get tested, treated and given support for whatever health situation she may find herself facing.

UPDATE! Third RSA meeting now started weekly in Kibera slum!

Adult Women Self-Defense Class- Women; – ages 26 – 45 Class time; 3 hours

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Many of the ideas IWD presents are new to women in this age group. Due to draconian cultures, a married woman is not supposed to say no to sex with her husband no matter what he may expose her to. Condoms are optional and can only be used at his discretion. As a result of this class, not only can our clients defend themselves against rape including marital rape, they have identified personal boundaries and have learnt the tools to make them ensure they are respected.

Elderly Women’s Self Defense Class-Elderly Women (Grannies) ages 46 and up Class time; 90 minutes:

Grannies are targeted for particularly vicious attacks. They are often gang raped with the assault lasting from 5 -11 hours. Their classes are similar in nature to the teen girl/ adult women classes but we have identified special needs and tailored classes to suit their needs bearing in mind their age and frailty. Class length has been modified but always begins with true tales of crafty Shoshos outwitting their attackers. Canes, dirt, shawls and “objects of convenience” all become weapons to ward off attack.

Baby Day Care Coops:

We can’t teach infants to defend themselves so we did the next best thing. We created a safe environment for them. Babies are raped everyday in the slums of Nairobi when women, desperate to earn money through casual day labor are forced to leave their babies in vulnerable situations. When a baby is raped, the stigma is so great that the crime usually goes un-reported and unprosecuted. Thus the rapes continue unabated.

Our Co-ops consists of 30 women split into daily work groups of 6. Each group staffs the day care one day a week and in return, receives 4 days of free child care. The added benefit is the financial empowerment of mothers and their families! Participants in this program have not only found steady employment, 2 have started their own small businesses.

IWD is currently accepting Baby Day Care Co-op sponsors. The centers are named in honor of those who support them! Our waiting list for Baby Daycare Co-ops has grown to 4 areas; Ngomongo, Mathare, Eastleigh and Viwandani. Your monthly donation can support over 30 women and their babies right now!

UPDATE! Our 2nd Baby Daycare Co-op is now open in Kibera slum!

Counseling/Referal:

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IWD provides free, private peer Counseling in a safe supportive environment. Clients may then progress into our Referral service. There they will be connected to a network of trusted legal, medical, familial and spiritual support agencies. RSA meetings may also be recommended at this time. We also offer medical accompaniment to survivors of assault and help access a safe house when necessary. IWD has become known throughout Koch as the people to go to, day or night for help. We can be reached by phone, at the office or, after office hours, at our homes.

IWD provides free community access to our reference library. We carry a wide variety of topics of concern to women. These include health, relationships, spiritual paths, survivor stories, twelve (12) step program and other inspirational materials.

Handicapped Day Care Coop:

Handicapped and disabled children suffer profound isolation and neglect in the slums of Nairobi. Hidden away as a source of shame to the family, many aren’t allowed to go outside - ever. This leaves these children extremely vulnerable to sexual predators. On June 30th 2008, IWD opened the doors of our first Handicapped Daycare Co-op. Though modeled after the Baby Daycare Co-op, this center will be managed by experienced handicapped educator Joyce Kiarie She will be training children and caregivers while also organizing visiting instructors to offer specialized courses. Joyce has the passion and drive to create a unified, empowered community which will serve to de-stigmatize the disabled and promote their highest potentials. This program needs your support!

The Tell Campaign:

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IWD created and promotes the "TELL Campaign" in an effort to introduce clients of all ages to the necessity of telling someone if you are - or have been - abused. Sometimes a client will tell a family member about abuse but is told to keep quiet for the shame of it. Others are bribed with as little as $15 US so that they do not tell or give information about the perpetrator.

The TELL Campaign implores our students to “tell and tell and tell” until someone believes them and effectively intervenes to provide the help that they need. The effect of this campaign is clearly measurable in the rising request for referrals.