Likoko Eunice
Likoko works with sex workers on the streets of Nairobi. She has developed a year-long transformation journey that has been tested and shown to work in her local community. They journey starts with friendship and acceptance but goes on to address physical, spiritual, emotional and life-skill needs.
Eunice is a trained social worker based in Nairobi, Kenya. She speaks of a question that her pastor asked the congregation: “What would have to change for God’s kingdom to come to come to our community?” This question lead to a series of prayer walks which in time lead Likoko to conversations with sex workers on the streets of her neighbourhood. Those conversations deepened as she got to know the women and soon Likoko’s thoughts were turning to the issue of transformation.
Like anywhere else in the world, prostitution is an economic decision and any effective initiative would have to address economic empowerment. In a country where poverty is rife, many turn to sex work as their only means of income. Of course once they have ventured into this world, they are often trapped – both by the addictions that so often accompany the trade and by the rejection that family and church throw at them.
Likoko has developed a year-long transformation journey that has been tested and shown to work in her local community. They journey starts with friendship and acceptance but goes on to address physical, spiritual, emotional and life-skill needs. The journey includes:
Physical support:
• A small stipend to help with immediate basic needs (like rent and food)
• Skills training and start-up capital for establishing micro enterprise
• Health insurance and health care provision
• Routes back to formal education
Spiritual support:
• A year long discipleship programme
• Help in finding a church community that is accepting and loving
Emotional support:
• Both group and individual counseling by professional volunteers
Life Skills support:
• Including training in parenting, budgeting, personal hygiene
