In the heart of the Maasai Mara, in Narok County lives Susan, a woman with a heart as vast as the landscape.
During the school holidays, Susan, witnessed a close friend at the age of 11 years undergo Female Genital Mutilation which was a norm. When schools opened more than half of the girls who had undergone the circumcision did not return to school since they had been married off. She knew she couldn’t stand idle as girls in her community continued to suffer through a barbaric practice that robbed them their childhood, education, and health.
The experience awakened a fierce protectiveness in Susan. She vowed to shield girls from the horrors of FGM and early marriages. This passion fueled her pursuit of education, and she devoured every scrap of information she could find about the dangers of the practice. Susan learned about the devastating physical and psychological consequences FGM inflicted on girls.
Armed with knowledge and a burning desire to make a difference, Susan embarked on a mission to educate her community. She started by having candid conversations with women she trusted, mothers and grandmothers who held the power to perpetuate the cycle. Susan shared the information she had collected emphasizing the lasting harm FGM caused.
When she got her first job with her meager salary and a firm spirit, Susan transformed her house into a sanctuary. It wasn’t much, but it was a world away from the threat of FGM and child marriage. Girls, some no older than ten years, began trickling in, each carrying the weight of unspoken fear.
Susan received them with open arms and a gentle smile. There were no judgmental stares, only understanding and a promise of safety. She provided them with not just shelter, but with food, education, and most importantly, a chance to be children.
Days were filled with laughter and learning. Susan, a natural teacher, instilled in them the power of knowledge. Fearful whispers transformed into confident voices.
Word of Susan’s haven spread like wildfire. Parents, initially not supportive, began to see the positive change in their daughters. The newfound strength in their attitude, challenged the age-old traditions. Susan’s fight wasn’t easy. There were threats but Susan remained undeterred.
News of Susan’s rescue reached far and wide. Recognition came in the form of support from organizations working to end FGM and early marriage. With this newfound support, Susan constructed Osiligi Rescue and Empowerment Center which doubles up as an empowerment center for the rescued girls and rescued teenage mothers. Further with support from the well-wishers, some of the rescued girls are taken back to school while others get vocational training e.g hair dressing, beauty therapy, tailoring among others equipping the girls with skills to forge their own paths.
Susan’s story became a testament to the power of courage and compassion. One woman, armed with nothing but love and determination, had ignited change in her community. The fight is far from over, but Susan, along with the girls she empowered, always go back to the villages for advocacy on girls/women right, mentorship in schools and encouraging parents to take girls to school.
Susan further registered the center with Elimu Yetu Coalition (EYC) whose mandate is to advocate for the right to quality basic education for all. Susan is hopeful that through working on EYC project titled “Decreasing Gender Based Barriers to Girls Education and Skills” targeting Narok county among other counties will further enhance Narok community engagement in addressing Gender based barriers to education and help in tracking the effective implementation of policies addressing gender inequalities.
