Saturday 7th of May saw the second graduation of the Men As Partners (MAP) program, graced by tens of graduands, officials from HOPE worldwide Kenya (HWW-K) partners, and personnel from HOPE.

With much dance and drama, music and messages, skits and speeches, it was a splendid and exciting occasion, the most exciting factor being the great expectation of the impact that the graduands will have as they share with their families and communities what they have learnt and grown from through the MAP training.

The MAP programme aims to confront sexual stereotypes, challenge perceived traditional gender norms and roles, many of which may lead to domestic violence and/or risky sexual behaviour, and help men to be the partners that the women in their lives need for them to be. It covers the topics of Gender and Sexuality, Awareness of Sexual and Domestic Violence, Male and female Sexual Health, and STI's including HIV and AIDS.

HWW-K Youth Program Manager, Job Akuno opened the occasion with the final session of the training, after which the Reuben Youth Star Association (RYSA) presented a skit and an energetic, audience-moving South African dance.

Several individuals shared how MAP has influenced their lives, Abel Musungu, describing how he was able to intervene when his father was denying Abel's sister inheritance, and change his father's mind. "MAP taught me to have greater convictions about gender equality, and so I had the confidence to face my father over the issue of inheritance for my sister," he explained.

Damaris Omuyonga shared how MAP has helped her talk about issues of sex with her son, and introduced her personal acronym for HOPE, "Have Our People Educated." Josephat Jumba shared how as he has started helping his wife with domestic chores, it has refreshed their marriage. Mine and my wife's physical relationship is now spontaneous and revived. MAP has also helped me have confidence talking to my children about things they sometimes see on TV like people kissing."

Maureen Okwemba shared how MAP helped her better understand her fiancé, to whom she is now very happily married.

HWW-K partners represented were GTZ, Family Planning Association of Kenya, Community Habitat Finance, Engender Health, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services.

After the singing duo of Nora and Michel brought the crowd to its feet in a spontaneous break-out of dancing, Job outlined the MAP programme, followed by which the HWW-K Operations Director, Nicasius Kamani, presented an overview of the organization. Nicasius described HWW-K's three broad programmes, Youth, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, and Blood Donor Mobilization, adding, about MAP's impact in his life, "I have grown as a partner through sitting in a few MAP sessions, and I strive to be my best for my wife, and also, at work, for the women in the office."

The guest of honour, representing the Minister for Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services, was Evans Mayore, the ministry's Assistant Commissioner of Social Services. He addressed the gathering, after which the graduands each received their certificates.

As Job said, with the 16 initial MAP graduates having trained this group of 90, the multiplying effect and the vision of those at HWW-K points to an impact by MAP that will ultimately bear fruit in every corner of society.