By Omwa Robert

After their commencement from the Young African Leadership Initiative-Regional Leadership Centre(YALI-RLC-EA) Robert Ouko Omwa went to his hometown city of Kisumu and set the Child Protection ball rolling using the very transformative tools they received at the centre in Kenyatta University, Nairobi.
On 2nd October 2018, Robert Omwa with an education officer Mr. Onywera Cosmas(Kisumu County Special Education-incharge) were at a leading radio station in Kenya: Ramogi FM in Nairobi. They were at the station to discuss Girls Education, School Re-entery policy for girls and Special needs in education. As a Beacon Teacher, one who defends and protects the rights of children, Robert had a lot of issues to discuss at the studios. The issues they discussed ranged from why the defilers defile, how to prevent violence against children and what they as education officer and teacher are doing to ensure that girls are getting education even if they have fallen pregnant. The transformation he had received at the centre, and the work he does in the community in defending and protecting the rights of children earned him the invite that was extended by Nancy Okoth, the programs coordinator of Girls Advocacy Alliance (GAA) project. During the show Nancy commended the good job that Beacon Teachers Movement (in which Robert is the coordinator)do to keep the children safe in school.
 After the show the Executive for Gender, Sports and Children Affairs for Embu County Dr. Joan Mwende Nguunzi praised the ongoing warm working relationship between Plan International, the Beacon Teachers, and now coupled with the new found energy and network of the YALI Alumni, saying that Africa will never be the same again added that it would go a long way in ensuring that Children of Kenya and Africa at large are safe both in school and out of school.
YALI Alumni were instrumental in this endeavour as they helped to recruit and invite people to tune the show to listen in. They were also important in giving valuable feedback after the show, on the points of discussion and what can be done better to keep girls in school.
Since Robert left the centre with the tools gained in Civic Leadership track he has managed to strike various working relationships with different organisations that work with children, Women and Girls, for example Plan International ,Kenya Female Advisory Organisation, Terre des Homes, ECPAT International among others to better the good workhe does in the community.
From the pedagogical skills that Robert acquired from the YALI Facilitators during his four weeks stay at the centre, Teacher Robert says his teaching methods have changed for the better, children enjoy his lessons even more and he asserts that the students grades are definitely poised to go up.
 At Alara Girls Secondary School and Bar Union Secondary in Kisumu, after the YALI training Robert has managed to form Girls Advocacy Clubs to educate girls about their rights, and also form peer support groups to help girls who dropped out of school to go back to school and get education.
The transformation continues, and it can only be better Robert concluded.