Woman challenges tradition, brings change to her Kenyan village
When she was 14 years old, Kakenya Ntaiya entered the cow pen behind her home with an elderly woman carrying a rusty knife.
As a crowd from her Maasai village looked on, Ntaiya sat down, lifted her skirt and opened her legs. The woman grabbed Ntaiya’s most intimate body parts and, in just moments, cut them out.
“It (was) really painful. I fainted,” recalled Ntaiya, now 34. “You’re not supposed to cry.”
For generations, this ceremony was a rite of passage for every Maasai girl, some as young as 10; soon afterward, they would marry and drop out of school.
About 140 million girls and women worldwide have been affected by female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision. The procedure is commonly based on religious and cultural beliefs, including efforts to prevent premarital sex and marital infidelity.
While female circumcision and child marriage are now illegal in Kenya — new laws banning genital mutilation have contributed to a decline in the practice — officials acknowledge that they still go on, especially in rural tribal areas. Despite free primary education being mandated 10 years ago by the Kenyan government, educating girls is still not a priority for the Maasai culture. According to the Kenyan government, only 11% of Maasai girls in Kenya finish primary school.
“It means the end of their dreams of whatever they want to become in life,” Ntaiya said.
But when Ntaiya endured the painful ritual in 1993, she had a plan. She negotiated a deal with her father, threatening to run away unless he promised she could finish high school after the ceremony.
“I really liked going to school,” she said. “I knew that once I went through the cutting, I was going to be married off. And my dream of becoming a teacher was going to end.”
Dreams like Ntaiya’s weren’t the norm in Enoosaen, a small village in western Kenya. Engaged at age 5, Ntaiya spent her childhood learning the skills she would need to be a good Maasai wife. But her mother encouraged her children to strive for a better life, and Ntaiya heeded her advice, postponing the coming-of-age ritual as long as she could. When her father finally insisted, she took her stand.
Ntaiya’s bold move paid off. She excelled in high school and earned a college scholarship in the United States. Her community held a fundraiser to raise money for her airfare, and in exchange, she promised to return and help the village.
Over the next decade, Ntaiya would earn her degree, a job at the United Nations and eventually a doctorate in education. But she never forgot the vow she made to village elders.
In 2009, she opened the first primary school for girls in her village, the Kakenya Center for Excellence. Today, Ntaiya is helping more than 150 girls receive the education and opportunities that she had to sacrifice so much to attain.
The Kakenya Center for Excellence started as a traditional day school, but now the students, who range from fourth to eighth grade, live at the school. This spares the girls from having to walk miles back and forth, which puts them at risk of being sexually assaulted, a common problem in rural African communities. It also ensures the girls don’t spend all their free time doing household chores.
“Now, they can focus on their studies — and on being kids,” Ntaiya said. “It’s the only way you can give a girl child a chance to excel.”
Students receive three meals a day as well as uniforms, books and tutoring. There are also extracurricular activities such as student council, debate and soccer. Class sizes are small — many schools in Kenya are extremely overcrowded — and the girls have more chances to participate. With these opportunities and the individual attention they receive, the girls are inspired to start dreaming big.
“They want to become doctors, pilots, lawyers,” Ntaiya said. “It’s exciting to see that.”
Just 4 years old, the school already ranks among the top in its district.
“Fathers are now saying, ‘My daughter could do better than my son,’ ” Ntaiya said.
As a public school, the Kakenya Center for Excellence receives some financial support from the Kenyan government. But the majority of the school’s expenses are paid for by Ntaiya’s U.S.-based nonprofit. While families are asked to contribute to cover the cost of the girls’ meals, an expense that can be paid in maize or beans, Ntaiya covers the costs of any students who cannot pay.
Each year, more than 100 girls apply for approximately 30 spots available in each new class. Parents who enroll their daughters must agree that they will not be subjected to genital mutilation or early marriage.
Many families are willing to accept Ntaiya’s terms, and that’s the kind of change she was hoping to inspire. It took her years to drum up support for the project, but eventually she persuaded the village elders to donate land for the school.
“It’s still quite challenging to push for change. Men are in charge of everything,” she said. “But nothing good comes on a silver plate. You have to fight hard.”
Who should be CNN Hero of the Year? Cast your vote!
Chief John Naleke, a village elder, can testify firsthand to Ntaiya’s powers of persuasion. As recently as 2006, he claimed there was no need for girls to be educated. But she managed to win him over; he’s now an important partner in her efforts.
Naleke said Ntaiya’s accomplishments and spirit have made her a role model, noting that villagers also respect the fact that she didn’t forget her promise.
“We have several sons who have gone to the United States for school. Kakenya is the only one that I can think of that has come back to help us,” Naleke said. “What she tells us, it touches us. … She brought a school and a light and is trying to change old customs to help girls get a new, better life.”
In 2011, Ntaiya moved to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, with her husband and two young sons. She spends about half her time in Enoosaen, where she loves to visit with the girls and see them evolve.
“When they start, they are so timid,” she said. “(Now) the confidence they have, it’s just beyond words. It’s the most beautiful thing.”
Her nonprofit also runs health and leadership camps that are open to all sixth-grade girls in the village and teach them about female circumcision, child marriage, teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.
“We tell them about every right that they have, and we teach them how to speak up,” Ntaiya said. “It’s about empowering the girls.”
In the coming years, Ntaiya plans to expand her school to include lower grades. She also wants to provide tutoring for the students from her first class when they head to high school next year, and she wants to eventually open a career center for them. She hopes that one day the school will serve as a model for girls’ education throughout Africa.
Ultimately, Ntaiya wants girls to have the opportunity to go as far as their abilities will take them.
“I came back so girls don’t have to negotiate like I did to achieve their dreams,” she said. “That’s why I wake up every morning.”
Want to get involved? Check out the Kakenya Center for Excellence website at www.kakenyasdream.org and see how to help.
Kimberly Townsend Palmer 
C’est bizɑrгe je pensais rédiger un petit post similaire à celui-là
LikeLike
honey is delicious, and nutritious, and just one of the best things ever
LikeLike
Un poste pleіn de ѵérité
LikeLike
Encorе un аrticle clairement attractif
LikeLike
Hello friends, how is the whole thing, and what you want to say about this post, in my view its truly
awesome for me.
LikeLike
Having read this I thought it was really informative.
I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this article together.
I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time
both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
LikeLike
je t’aime
LikeLike
Viѵement le prochain post
LikeLike
What’s up, yeah, your writing is actually great, and I have learned lot of things from it on the topic oof blogging.
thanks.
LikeLike
I enjoy աhat you tߋ. Տuch clever work аnd coverage! Keep սp the awesome ԝork, I’ve added yߋu to my own blogroll.
LikeLike
Сe post est plein de сonseils
LikeLike
EuhҺ êtes voսs sûr de ce que vous écrivez ?
LikeLike
Hi! I wish to say that this blog is amazing, nicely written and all significant info. I would like to see more blogs like yours.
LikeLike
Many thanks, your writing is extremely beneficial. I will certainly share this website with my pals.
LikeLike
Normally I don’t read blogs, however I wish to say that coming across your work forced me to do it! Your writing has amazed me. Thanks, great post.
LikeLike
I am French speaking, and I would love to translate your work into French.
LikeLike
Hi! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when browsing from my apple iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to correct this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. Thank you!
LikeLike
Hello, this weekend is pleasant for me, as this moment i am reading this impressive educational post here at my home.
LikeLike
Incredible points. Great arguments. Keep up the good work.
LikeLike
Once, I trusted the wrong person, too. This person lied and stole and hurt a lot of people, not just me. He ended up in a mental hospital, on heavy psychiatric medication. We’re just lucky they caught up with him before he’d seriously physically hurt anyone, or, god forbid, killed an innocent bystander. His mother kept insisting there was nothing wrong with him. And his father didn’t even believe in psychiatry. Was the kid doomed before he even had a chance? Hard to say.
LikeLike
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable info to work on. You have performed an impressive task and our entire neighborhood shall be thankful to you.
LikeLike
Fabulous posts
LikeLike
I am a writer, too. How did you get started at it? I’ve been having an awfully hard time getting anybody to read my submissions!
LikeLike
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is
really informative. I was in a very abusive relationship once, and in some of your work you’ve really captured what that’s like, and how liberating it is to finally get out of such abuse.
Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
LikeLike
C’est vrai, c’est vrai. Je suis desolee.
LikeLike
This is the perfect site for anybody who really wants to understand men and women trying to relate. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic which has been discussed since humans developed language. Wonderful stuff, just excellent!
LikeLike
The love of money, is really the root of most evil in this world. It is a type of mental illness, to hoard riches for oneself and not care about those you hurt by doing so. I am worried about your country, America, I am from China and we have problems caused by the love of money also. Have you ever been to China?
LikeLike
Great article.
LikeLike
Great article, exactly what I wanted to find.
LikeLike
First of all I want to say awesome blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before writing. I have had difficulty clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out. I do enjoy writing but it just seem like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally
wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or tips? Many thanks!
LikeLike
This was definitely worth reading. Please check out my blog, KunkleBill!
LikeLike
Hey there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this page to him.
Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
I am Filipina, and would like to send my writing to American magazines… do you know any who are interested in overseas writers?
LikeLike
Why does anyone still read news papers when in this technological world all is presented on the web? I mean, it’s good to employ writers as journalists, but the newspaper won’t be around long. Probably all the news will be online… writers have got to adapt. Are you writing any journalistic pieces? Any investigative nonfiction?
LikeLike
Can you tell us more about this? I’d like to find out more details.
LikeLike
Where did the article go? I want to donate to Kakenya’s dream charity
LikeLike
women’s “circumcision” must be stopped!
LikeLike
My mom died when I was only 2 years old. I don’t remember her, but when I see her picture, I feel like I must have some memories I just can’t get to….
LikeLike
I was very happy to discover this website. I need to to thank you for ones’ time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every little bit of it and I have you book marked to check out new information in your web site.
LikeLike
Will there be a part 2?
LikeLike
Hey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came to take a look.
I’m definitely enjoying the reading. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting
this to my followers! Wonderful blog and superb design.
LikeLike
Thankfulness to my father who told me about this blog, this blog is truly amazing.
LikeLike
There’s certainly a great deal to learn about this topic. It’s a serious & disturbing one.
LikeLike
kakenya’s dream sounds like a worthy charity
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m really inspired together with your writing abilities and also with the format on your weblog.
LikeLike
Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
ʟes posts sont franchement intéressants
LikeLike
un telle injustice
LikeLike
Poor girls and women, subjected to such a thing. Horrifying.
LikeLike
Ce post est vrаiment ƿlein de vérités
LikeLike