Sports & culture
Breaking norms: Turkana's first women's football tournament
In 2023, supported by the Australian High Commission, Desert Roses organised the first-ever women's football tournament in Turkana, with over 50 young women taking part.
Success stories
Football as a shield against dropping out.
Meet the young women turning confidence on the pitch into possibility in school, at home and across their communities.
More stories
Lives changed, communities transformed.
Infrastructure
Clean water for the community: the borehole story
Desert Roses drilled a borehole at the Centre, providing clean and reliable water not just for the organisation but for the surrounding community.
Education
26 girls kept in secondary school
Through direct financial support, Desert Roses helped 26 vulnerable girls access and stay in secondary education.
Health
Biodegradable sanitary pads: local solutions
Desert Roses is developing biodegradable sanitary pads from local plant materials — ensuring no girl misses school because of period poverty.
Advocacy
Visited by the Australian High Commissioner
Both the former and current Australian High Commissioners to Kenya visited Desert Roses — recognising the impact of the work in Turkana.
Opportunity
20 sports scholarships secured
Twenty talented girls in sports will have their secondary school fees fully funded next year — turning talent into lasting opportunity.
Notable achievements
What we've built together.
5,000+ girls mentored
Structured mentorship and leadership programmes nurturing resilience, confidence and vision across Turkana.
Turkana's first women's tournament
Football tournaments in five sub-counties, combining mentorship, empowerment talks and material distribution.
Borehole & Centre of Excellence
Clean water drilled for the community, and a Centre of Excellence under construction — a permanent home for the movement.
Shifting community perceptions
A major shift in community acceptance of girls' education, sports and leadership — engaging men and boys as allies.
3,500+ hygiene kits distributed
Ensuring girls can attend school with dignity and confidence, consistently throughout the term.
“Roses Will Rise” — book in progress
A book chronicling the inspiring journey, impact and resilience of Desert Roses — coming soon.
Be part of it