By Ken Kimani & Nancy Ochido
Traditions from our culture can sometimes be disappointing especially if it’s past by times. Some of these include FGM, Forced Marriages and Rape. Victims sometimes can be children of minor ages including 10 years and even below.
Anglican inland church in Kajiado county is a rescue centre and therefore home to many girls.
Agnes is
the fourth born in a family of seven. she was born in Laikipia county, that is their homeland .later, her grandmother took her from her family, and since then she has been staying with her in Kajiado. Agnes’s mother passed on later as she stayed with her granny.by then she was only ten.
Her grandmother took advantage of the situation. She mutilated her shortly after her mother was laid to rest and later decided to give her to a 30 years old man for marriage, without the consent of her father. The said suitor refused to marry Agnes immediately because she was not mature enough.
She, therefore, gave her to his mother to keep her until she becomes ready for marriage. Through the local detectives, however, who gave hint to the AIC rescue home team, Agnes was liberated from the man.
Jacinta Naomi, on the other hand, escaped the cut narrowly. Naomi too grew with her grandparents. They took the responsibility of educating her, but when she reached class five, things never remained the same. They began saying that she is mature enough to become a responsible woman, hence should be mutilated. She was clued by her younger brother who overheard of the plans.
These are some of the challenges that girls undergo in the name of Traditions. Winnie Ayieko, do it with boldness foundation executive director and her team. On this day, the team came to give encouraging words and counselling to the girls. DWB foundation is a Non Governmental organization that deals with charity and also aimed for a better a Kenya.
Do it With Boldness foundation was formed to mentor the youth and women in the society. Aiming each individual be the best they can be irrespective of their situation. It was launched in August 2018 and has amazingly impacted in higher learning institution and community at large through mentorship programmes.