Tuesday, 5 July 2016
Wednesday, 8 June 2016
MY STORY MY STRENGTH! Hidel Akhonya's story
Through our wire mesh window I see children running around, playing, laughing and I wonder how it feels to have a normal childhood. Scars on my chest depict the suffering I have undergone. I have gone through pain, tears and horrifying experiences. I was born 15years ago to an affluent Maasai family. Though my parents didn't understand the essence of education they facilitated my elementary school from the year 2003.
I joined primary school in the year 2006 and school for me was the best place to be. My father invested heavily in my education and ensured that I was never out of school for whatever reason. At a point when I didn't expect a turmoil, my father who was the sole bread winner of the family died of skin cancer. This depressed my mum that she consequently passed on. My Aunt who lived in Nairobi took me in. I did not have the slightest idea what life had in store for me in the city but what was a deprived orphan supposed to do? "Yes , I will" I replied when I was offered the once in a life time opportunity.
In the city I was enrolled in a school. At this time I was in grade 6. My new school was not an easy one to adopt to. Students formed cliques according to their social status! I struggled fitting in. I was termed "mshamba" having come from the country side. Despite my passion for writing and public speaking I use not to talk much since I had a strong L1 accent.
Wanting to fit in enticed me into bang smoking at a tender age, which in turn made me famous towards my peers but on the other hand my not so good academic performance dropped. "You are going back to the village" This was my aunts tepid voice despite my pleas, for mercy. Back in Maasai land, female genital mutilation culture was at its peak, too bad for me I was old enough. I underwent the cut! I resolved to resisting but this resulted to the mutilating knife injuring my chest. The pain was excruciating. Why did I have to undergo all this?
After the healing process, I managed to go back to school. This was in the year 2012 and I joined standard seven. I never knew what my inspiration was at this time but my urge to succeed drove me. I completed my primary education and excelled. With no hope of joining high school, I celebrated. My people perceived this as a waste of time, "Why should a girl go to school" They constantly asked. Luckily, I got a scholarship! Through the dark tunnel, I saw light at the end and I watched my once shattered dreams rejuvenate. I never dreamed of a better life but in every cloud there always a silver lining, right?
I walk along the corridors of Makueni girls High school elatedly. The smile I portray masks, the problems I have undergone. This is a motivation to me seeing that I am half way there. Many people from different backgrounds are here. Students from disenfranchised backgrounds like me are seriously discriminated but with my dream in mind - Surgeon- and my constant anthem, no circumstance can drag me down. My suffering being the source of my remarkable strength, I have learned a lot in life. Despite the difficulties I face each day in my pursuit for an education, life has taught me never to give up!
This is my educational education journey, my story, my strength!
#withmalalakenya
I joined primary school in the year 2006 and school for me was the best place to be. My father invested heavily in my education and ensured that I was never out of school for whatever reason. At a point when I didn't expect a turmoil, my father who was the sole bread winner of the family died of skin cancer. This depressed my mum that she consequently passed on. My Aunt who lived in Nairobi took me in. I did not have the slightest idea what life had in store for me in the city but what was a deprived orphan supposed to do? "Yes , I will" I replied when I was offered the once in a life time opportunity.
In the city I was enrolled in a school. At this time I was in grade 6. My new school was not an easy one to adopt to. Students formed cliques according to their social status! I struggled fitting in. I was termed "mshamba" having come from the country side. Despite my passion for writing and public speaking I use not to talk much since I had a strong L1 accent.
Wanting to fit in enticed me into bang smoking at a tender age, which in turn made me famous towards my peers but on the other hand my not so good academic performance dropped. "You are going back to the village" This was my aunts tepid voice despite my pleas, for mercy. Back in Maasai land, female genital mutilation culture was at its peak, too bad for me I was old enough. I underwent the cut! I resolved to resisting but this resulted to the mutilating knife injuring my chest. The pain was excruciating. Why did I have to undergo all this?
After the healing process, I managed to go back to school. This was in the year 2012 and I joined standard seven. I never knew what my inspiration was at this time but my urge to succeed drove me. I completed my primary education and excelled. With no hope of joining high school, I celebrated. My people perceived this as a waste of time, "Why should a girl go to school" They constantly asked. Luckily, I got a scholarship! Through the dark tunnel, I saw light at the end and I watched my once shattered dreams rejuvenate. I never dreamed of a better life but in every cloud there always a silver lining, right?
I walk along the corridors of Makueni girls High school elatedly. The smile I portray masks, the problems I have undergone. This is a motivation to me seeing that I am half way there. Many people from different backgrounds are here. Students from disenfranchised backgrounds like me are seriously discriminated but with my dream in mind - Surgeon- and my constant anthem, no circumstance can drag me down. My suffering being the source of my remarkable strength, I have learned a lot in life. Despite the difficulties I face each day in my pursuit for an education, life has taught me never to give up!
This is my educational education journey, my story, my strength!
#withmalalakenya
Thursday, 2 June 2016
Grace of Makueni Girls Secondary School is Standing With Malala
The message of 'He Named Me Malala' resonated with the students at Makueni Girls. One student in particular wrote a speech immediately after the screening, explaining how it made her feel.
Grace is a Form 3 student, and this is what she had to say:
Follow the conversation using the hashtag #withMalalaKenya on Twitter.
Grace is a Form 3 student, and this is what she had to say:
"I absolutely love Malala, especially her courage to stand up for what is good for women and her enthusiasm to speak her mind and do what's right is absolutely out of this world.
I guess it is just so good of her to move from country to country, helping others facing similar challenges. Who wouldn't want to emulate or rather fit in her shoes, however small they are?
I have learned that we should not let anything put us down in our quest to fight for what is good, just like Malala who was not stopped even after she was shot in the head.
Let us not keep silent when evil is dominating over the good, no matter what the consequences are, even if it will cost us our lives, for I believe this is what God expects from us.
Let us all have Malala as our role model and keep her words in mind, saying "One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world."
With one book and one pen, I can change my life and the lives of those around me. With what I learn from the teachers in this school, I can grow and become a better person. It doesn't matter what the culture says about me, I can do my best and change the world from where I am.
Stand With Malala. Like she said, it is better to live like a lion for one day that like a slave for a hundred years."Like Grace, many other students were inspired by the screening. One wants to become the governor of her county, and another wants to become the member of parliament for her area. They cited examples of women who have gone before and blazed the trail for others, such as Wangari Maathai, Julia Ojiambo, Eddah Gachukia and Phoebe Asiyo, who faced much adversity from the men they worked with, but despite the challenges, they were able to find a way to change the world for the better.
Follow the conversation using the hashtag #withMalalaKenya on Twitter.
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
SCHOOL SCREENING SESSION AT MAKUENI GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
Makueni Girls High School is a Girls boarding school, located in Wote location, Makueni County. The schools' population is about 750 girls. Project Malala Kenya was privileged to screen "He Named Me Malala" to the students and the reception was totally overwhelming.
Malala team left Nairobi at 6:00 for Makueni county. We arrived at Makueni girls at 9:48 am. The principal of Makueni Girls Mrs Hombe accorded us a warm reception as they were looking forward to receiving us and finally get to watch the documentary film. Technical set up of the hall began at 10:30, screening started at 11:40 and it ended at 13:14 after which the discussion session took off. We had an audience of 750girls and 6teachers.
Makueni girls students are impressed by the courage and enthusiasm Malala had of speaking her mind. The fact that Malala was an ordinary Pakistan girl who rose against all odds to become the most influential teen world wide was a defining aspect that the students admired the most. For many students here,they have learned to appreciate the opportunity they have to pursue an education.
Challenges that came up during the discussion session as mentioned by the students were:
Solutions to some of these issues raised came from the audience. Some of the "how's" included
Stand with Malala
Follow us in our social media conversations on
GoDown Art Center facebook page
@GoDownArts
#withmalalakenya
Malala team left Nairobi at 6:00 for Makueni county. We arrived at Makueni girls at 9:48 am. The principal of Makueni Girls Mrs Hombe accorded us a warm reception as they were looking forward to receiving us and finally get to watch the documentary film. Technical set up of the hall began at 10:30, screening started at 11:40 and it ended at 13:14 after which the discussion session took off. We had an audience of 750girls and 6teachers.
Makueni girls students are impressed by the courage and enthusiasm Malala had of speaking her mind. The fact that Malala was an ordinary Pakistan girl who rose against all odds to become the most influential teen world wide was a defining aspect that the students admired the most. For many students here,they have learned to appreciate the opportunity they have to pursue an education.
Challenges that came up during the discussion session as mentioned by the students were:
- Blind traditions of FGM hindering the girl child education
- Early marriages
- Child labor
- Poverty/ Lack of school fees
- Distance of school from home
- HIV and AIDS / Mortality rates in the region
Solutions to some of these issues raised came from the audience. Some of the "how's" included
- Fight against circumcision
- Making better choices that will better the students life
- Changing the girls' attitude towards education
- Evaluating when to stand firm and fight for one's right
- Advocating for girl child education in rural areas
1st Prize was awarded to Rachael Muoka. She received a novel "Unbowed" by the legendary Wangari Mathai, a Malala t shirt and a journal.
2nd prize went to Hidel Akhonya who received a journal and a t shirt
3rd prize was awarded to Rosaline Mwikali who received a t shirt
Stand with Malala
Follow us in our social media conversations on
GoDown Art Center facebook page
@GoDownArts
#withmalalakenya
Friday, 13 May 2016
What is Project Malala Kenya?
The campaign involves a series of screenings and public discussions around "He Named Me Malala", a renowned documentary film based on the life of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel prize laureate.
Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban in Pakistan, her home country, for daring to speak out and advocate for girls to get an education. The film follows her and her family immediately after the shooting as they look back at their lives in Pakistan, and how their involvement in the campaign for girl child education started.
The screenings seek to start a discussion on education and the challenges of getting girls to go to school. Participants range from high school students to community leaders. Using Malala as an example, the project hopes to amplify these discussions and identify struggles and stories of triumph within the communities so that they ultimately stand with the girl child in pursuit of education.
Our hope is that the film will spark dialogue and motivate different stakeholders to ensure access to free, safe and quality education for our children. The community screening sessions were done in conjunction with Kibera's shining hope for community (Shofco), Dandora's Dacasa group, Liberty Theatre Group in Githurai, and Shangilia Children Center in Kangemi.
Follow the Project with the hashtag #withMalalaKenya on Twitter and on the GoDown Arts Centre Facebook page.
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