SKY Girls Kenya has introduced an innovative board game, ‘How to find your SKY’, aimed at helping adolescent girls tackle real world challenges such as peer pressure, tobacco use and reproductive health choices.
The initiative launched in September, is already reaching more than 150,000 girls in Nairobi and Kisumu across more than 100 schools.
The game is designed to make sensitive conversations easier and to provide practical tools for decision making.
Girls in boarding and remote schools often have limited access to digital content that could help them navigate life challenges.
The board game bridges this gap by offering what the organisation calls an engaging, repeatable way for girls to learn together.
Through role play and scenario based activities, the game exposes players to everyday issues involving friendships, academics, and personal choices.
Players roll the dice, pick choice cards and deal with the consequences, positive or negative depending on the decisions made.
“What I really love about the game is that the scenarios are just like the things we go through every day as girls. It feels real and it shows me step by step how I can handle those situations better,” a form 3 student from Moi Girls said.
The tool also integrates discussions on HPV vaccination, smoking, and teenage pregnancy.
Despite government campaigns, HPV vaccine uptake in Kenya remains at just 33 percent of eligible girls fully vaccinated.
According to SKY Girls Kenya, 40 percent of players reported learning more about HPV, while 40 percent said they discovered new ways to deal with pressure to smoke.
“I have learnt that there is not just one way to deal with uncomfortable situations. The game taught me different ways I can respond and now I feel more prepared and in control,” a form 2 student from Beth Mugo Secondary School said.
Project Lead Edna Njeri further said the approach was developed to help girls practice real life scenarios in a safe environment.
“We strongly believe that when girls are equipped to handle pressure, they can make choices that keep them true to their values. That’s why we developed this interactive board game. Here girls role play everyday scenarios, discuss their choices and learn from each other for proven, lasting positive results,” Njeri said.
One teacher Wekesa from Beth Mugo Girls also noted the impact.
“It has impacted them positively. They prefer having the game most of the time including weekends, hence cases of indiscipline or aimless movement are reduced,” Wekesa said.
The program has produced 2,000 editions of the game, distributed for free in schools, and has received endorsement from parents, teachers as well as the Ministry of Education.
