- From Struggle to Advocacy -
Growing up Maasai
Growing up in the Maasai community in a polygamous family of 39 siblings, I was the youngest of 11 children in my mother’s household. Life was not easy, especially for girls, who were often seen as a source of wealth due to cultural norms. When I was 12, my father arranged for me to marry a 78-year-old man in exchange for seven cows. This was not uncommon in our community, where early marriage was a way of securing a dowry.
Defying Tradition
A Mother's Fight for My Future
A month before my final grade seven exams, my father tried to discourage me from taking my studies seriously, hinting at “better plans” he had prepared for me. When I confided in my mother, she revealed my father’s plan to marry me off, as he had done with my nine older sisters. But my mother was determined to protect me. She helped me escape and I found refuge with a pastor who listened to my story and agreed to help.
Finding Hope
From Survival to Advocacy
The pastor who chaired the board of the Maasai Girls Secondary School – a rescue school for girls fleeing child marriage and abuse – enrolled me. I stayed there for two years, never returning home. I found safety, education and hope for a better future.
During my studies, I made a promise to myself: I would dedicate my life to promoting children’s rights, education and women’s empowerment in honour of my late mother, who risked everything to save me from child marriage and help me pursue my dreams.
United For Change
The Birth of Joy and Hope
While facilitating workshops on women and child empowerment, we met Anna Matinda and Riziki Siringa, who shared similar experiences of escaping early marriage and FGM. We realized that we needed to help and save many children and women who needed the same help that we had received. It was then that we had the idea for the Joy and Hope for Rural Community Foundation. Our mission is to rescue and support children and women facing similar challenges, helping them to realise their dreams and make a lasting impact in their communities.