Butterfly Project

THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT

Girls in the developing world face many challenges. Most families who earn less than $2.00 per day are unable to send their children to school due to lack of school fees. In Kenya, education is not free which leaves poor families struggling to pay for uniforms, tuition and other costs associated with education. Some families are forced to make the child drop out of school, work a full-time job or marry at an early age. These alternatives may relieve financial stress on the family but cause emotional pain and perpetual poverty for the child.

The Butterfly Project solution offers free education to vulnerable girls from five distinct counties in Kenya. Most of the girls come from small, rural villages where water, food, and other basic needs are scarce due to unemployment and drought. The Butterfly girls live on the I Can Fly school campus in the Butterfly House. The Butterfly Houses are equipped with beds, modern amentities and living room space. Three meals per day, 24 hour security, transportation and enrichment activities are also provided.

GIRLS ON THE RUN

The Girls on the Run program operates throughout the year at the I Can Fly Rescue Center facility. Girls often run-a-way from home after they’ve been raped, defiled or physically abused by a neighbor, family member or stranger within their community. They often flee their homes in hopes of finding a safe place to heal and/or avoid further abuse. Children and youth between the ages of 5-15 years old are often targeted in most instances. Once the child’s case is turned over to the local police and the Department of Children’s Services the girl is referred to our facility for safety and placement while an official investigation is launched against the alleged perpetrator.

We take full responsibility of the child’s needs by providing counseling, school tuition fees, tutoring, shelter, meals, uniforms and enrichment activities. We also offer court appearance assistance and protection while the child is in our care. Appearing before a judge in the company of the alleged perpetrator can feel intimidating and scary for most children. We accompany each girl to her scheduled court appearances to offer support and comfort.

In most rural communities it is uncommon for girls to identify their perpetrators in fear of retaliation, family shame and sometimes death. In some instances the child must go completely underground to conceal their identities. In these cases we work with other partners to ensure the child’s identity remains concealed and they are fully protected at all times.

THE EAGLES INITIATIVE

After the Butterfly Project for girls launched at the I Can Fly Secondary School campus in 2012,we were challenged by frequent requests for assistance from young boys. We were moved by the stories of boys who were orphans and child laborers at the age of fourteen, but remained determined to work hard in school and achieve their dreams. Many walked for several miles to our campus asking us to give them an opportunity to learn.

The Eagle’s Initiative for boys, ages 13-18 years old provides educational opportunities to high achieving boys who perform above 80% of Kenya’s national academic average in primary school. Their families are normally unable to afford school fees, which places them at risk of drug-use, homelessness and unemployment, ultimately perpetuating poverty cycles within the family structure. All boys admitted into the program receive a quality education, housing, meals and enrichment activities.

THE LITTLE BUTTERFLIES

It is not uncommon for girls ages 6 to13 years old in certain regions throughout East Africa to experience early marriages, trafficking, rape and unplanned pregnancies. In some remote villages where resources like schools, hospitals, police stations and employment are scarce, young girls face greater hardships. Girls are married off to elderly men for dowry exchanges in the form of cash and cows. Others are given out for sex in exchange for products such as blankets, bread and beer. This issue exists because of cultural norms practiced by particular tribes and lack of accountability enforcing the law against early marriages and female genital mutilation from regional officers.

Through our partnerships with local non-profit entities, churches and concerned individuals we are able to identify young children who are in need. Once a child is taken into our program her education, shelter, meals, counseling and enrichment activities are fully sponsored. An approved school facility that offers a safe living environment helps the child continue her life on a path toward healing, recovery and transformation.

THE SCHOLARS

We do our best to help our High School seniors who qualify for universities, colleges and trade schools transition into their next phase of life. We consider it an honor to assist them. Most graduating seniors enter schools of higher education with little to no assistance because of poverty in their families and communities. To help relieve some of the financial hardships they face we provide small scholarships to our students after admission into their school of choice. Our scholarships are used for an array of needs such as college tuition, housing, food and books.

WATCH US GROW

Growth is a vital part of life. The Butterfly Project provides girls and boys a wide-range of enrichment services and activities outside of their normal academic program. The enrichment component of the project is designed to empower children academically, spiritually, physically and socially. Our empowerment initiatives are carried out through special programs, facilitated by local and international volunteers. These activities normally take place after-school and on weekends throughout the school year. We also provide a Summer Camp experience at the end of the second term which allows I Can Fly Secondary school students and other children around the country in our program to take part in a life-changing experience filled with fun, enlightenment and hope.

The activities and programs include:

Academic Tutoring . Art Therapy . Counseling . HIV/AIDS Education . Impact Dance Program . Music . Self-Esteem Workshops . Spiritual Development . Sports and Recreation

Girls in the developing world face many challenges. Most families who earn less than $2.00 per day are unable to send their children to school due to lack of school fees. In Kenya, education is not free which leaves poor families struggling to pay for uniforms, tuition and other costs associated with education. Some families are forced to make the child drop out of school, work a full-time job or marry at an early age. These alternatives may relieve financial stress on the family but cause emotional pain and perpetual poverty for the child.

The Butterfly Project solution offers free education to vulnerable girls from five distinct counties in Kenya. Most of the girls come from small, rural villages where water, food, and other basic needs are scarce due to unemployment and drought. The Butterfly girls live on the I Can Fly school campus in the Butterfly House. The Butterfly Houses are equipped with beds, modern amentities and living room space. Three meals per day, 24 hour security, transportation and enrichment activities are also provided.