Maureen's Story

Maureen is 17 years old and attends Huruma Girls school. She is shyer than some of the other girls here but was still very happy to talk about her experiences. “I have been here for three years”, she starts, “I joined Girl Power this year, since I was in form three.  I wanted to join so that it could change my life.  Girl Power changes girls’ lives and I wanted to know more about myself.  I now have the power to change my life.  I thought my life would be miserable and I thought that I could not exist, I was really down”

“I live with my uncle.  I don’t live with my parents because they died.  My father died in 2011 and my mum died in 2006. I miss them but my uncle is nice.  He has five children who I like. I have one brother.  We were five in my family but three of them died, and it left just me and my brother. One of my sisters died because she had a problem of bleeding but I do not know what happened to the others”.

“I have learnt that girls are more respected than I thought.  Many people respect girls and they have opportunities.  If a girl gets good marks at schools, she can go to university. I want to be a journalist and I want to work in Kenya, and go to university here.  I want to help make a difference here and keep working with orgnisations like Girl Power”

Written by Hannah Collins, volunteer at Girl Power
Approved by Dr Liz Odera, Director at Sadili Oval Sports Academy

Irene's Story

Irene is 17 years old and has only been at Huruma girls for two weeks. “The reason I moved from the former school to this one is because at the other school girls did not appreciate other girls.  Like for me, I was a tomboy and I was taken in a negative light, not in a positive way.  I cannot stay in an environment where no one would interact with me because I am a tomboy. They would not sit with me. So, I just decided to change schools.  This school has been better.  I joined Girl Power today, it is my first day in this club.  Making friends is still a little bit difficult because of different attitudes and personalities.  But I am a new student so I will give it time”.

“I live with my parents but they are separated.  The issue is that my Dad had an affair with another woman and my mum realized.  Though we all live in the same roof, they do not talk to each other in the best way.  A lot of the time my Dad is not at home, he is travelling or I do not know where he is.  It hurts me so much, but I cannot interfere.  But it really hurts”.

“I have a big brother and he is in Dubai, and an elder sister who is in college at ZETECH and I’m the third born.  Our last born is in class seven.  When I finish school I want to be a lawyer.  Most likely I will travel overseas and work in Kenya.  The purpose of my decision to be lawyer is because of how men treat women, that is why I decided I want to be a lawyer.  So that when I grow up and have my own life I can stand up for the women and fight for their rights because often in our society women are looked down upon. I want to fight for women’s rights and the girl child”.

Written by Hannah Collins, volunteer at Girl Power
Approved by Dr Liz Odera, Director at Sadili Oval Sports Academy