Page 25 - Aidlink Annual Report 2020
P. 25

  Programme Overview – Education
 Sarah’s Story
As 2020 began, like her friends, was happy to finally be in a transition class and looking forward to working hard, performing well, and transiting to secondary school. Her dream since grade 5 has been to be a doctor. Only three months into the school calendar, the Government closed all learning institutions in the Country as a strategy to curb the spread of Covid-19.
‘I was so sad, when the head teacher announced that we were going home. I did not know whether I will ever go to school again as I had always struggled to be in school.
I’m the first born in a family of 8. While at home, I missed my friends and for many months I had no mates to neither talk to nor play with. I could not meet with my friends as they live more than ten kilometers from my home. With no learning, my sister and I supported my family in herding livestock.
We would take the animals to the grazing fields and water points about five kilometers from home.'
When Sarah became pregnant, her father sought to identify a suitable 'suitor' and arrange for her to marry to save the family's name, in exchange for livestock and other monetary assistance to support his family.
The information on the marriage arrangements (rituals and dowry negotiations) reached Community Facilitator David, who together with the Girl Child Network Project Officer
and the Area Chief promptly intervened and rescued Sarah. The community members and the community facilitators negotiated with the family to allow Sarah to continue with her studies. Sarah reenrolled in October to prepare for and finally sat her KCPE exams. She is now waiting to join secondary school and is determined to work even harder for her baby.
The work of the Girl Child Network through community facilitators is transforming the community and family perceptions on girls’ and children with disabilities education within the target communities and beyond.
‘I will take care of my grandchild and support my daughter’s education.' Sarah’s father said. ‘I now know all children must continue with their education’ he concluded.
‘I thank my father for giving me this opportunity to continue with my education. I will work hard and make him proud.’ Sarah said.
* name changed to protect the identity of the individual
 ‘I scored 339 marks’ Sarah shouts in jubilation when breaking the news to her family. Sarah is a 16 year old
girl who sat her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) at Emashini primary in Kajiado County, Kenya,
one of the project schools. She is now waiting to join secondary school in July 2021.
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