By Kate Lapides-Black | Director of Communications
"Africa changes you forever, like no place on Earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same.” - Brian Jackman
Our recent trip to Kenya was, as always, rich with beauty and wonder, and also, sadly, with too many moments bearing witness to the deep struggles of many girls. We met 14-year-old Jennifer, a bright and hopeful 9th grader who became orphaned after her parents died three years ago when she was just in sixth grade. We met Jennifer's classmate, a sweet 15-year-old named Happiness who dreams of becoming a guide in the conservancies that border her school because she now sees women becoming professional guides there and how those jobs allow them to take care of their families. We spent time with the quiet and dignified Elma, a 15-year-old who has to borrow a school uniform and clothes from different classmates each week because her stepfather refuses to support her at all – but who continues to get herself to school each day so she can create a better future for herself.
Stories like Jennifer's and Elma's pain us deeply. But we also know, from experience, that the resilience of the girls in the regions where we work is often astounding. That's why we believe that with belief, support, and the opportunity to continue their educations through affordable secondary schools, Jennifer, Happiness, Elma, and countless girls like them can still steer their way to create brighter futures. We see it every day.
Our recent trip also offered reminders that these girls aren't fighting their battles alone. On each trip to Kenya, we meet individuals working amid the most challenging of circumstances to ensure that girls continue to have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Daniel, the principal at Elma and Jennifer's school, created a fund to support the 100 most vulnerable children in his school's catchment area. He also intervened three years ago when the extended family members who took Jennifer in after her parents died planned to marry her off because they didn't feel they could pay for another mouth to feed or another child's school fees. We also visited with Esther and her nine-year-old granddaughter Nanau on this trip, nearly a year to the day we first met them. On that morning a year ago, Esther had just been returning from an exhausting midnight trip across the Tanzanian border to rescue Nanau after learning that her father was planning to arrange an early marriage for her against her mother's wishes. Nanau has been safe and in school ever since that harrowing night, growing into a sweet and confident girl under her grandmother's kind and watchful eye.
The dedication of individuals like Daniel, Esther, and of our staff and Team Angaza volunteers to help girls in southern Kenya humbles us daily. The circumstances they work in are often challenging and exhausting. We remain ever conscious that none of our work would be possible without it, nor without the dedication and support of all of you, the committed community who support their work in the field. Ashe Oleng (thank you ) from the bottom of our heart for your continued generosity and caring. It makes all the difference for so many lives across the world.
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By Kate Lapides-Black | Director of Communications
By Kate Lapides-Black | Director of Communications
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