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
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