Why Girls Clubs?

Why girls clubs?

Whilst we were setting up the library in Sipili, our founder Anne Moore lived there for 3 months, and became aware of the plight of girls in this very rural region. Many are still often married off as young as 12 years of age, to men over the age of 40. Here female circumcision (FGM) is still common, even though it is illegal under Kenyan law. Many girls have no time at all for school, being kept at home to look after younger brothers and sisters, clean, tend the shamba, look after goats or sheep, cook meals etc etc.. They know no other way.

Sipili Angels at first meeting

When the library opened a great number of girls started coming in to read the books. They had never had access to books before, other than school curriculum books (for those lucky enough to go to school). It was a joy to see them talking to each other about what they were reading, asking questions, and feeling free to talk.

We do not want to tell communities that their traditions are wrong, but merely offer choices and access to information.

We are creating girls clubs in the rural areas and in the slums of Kenya, where girls can come to meet, to talk to each other about ANYTHING:  a safe space where they can talk about marriage, boys, sex, clothes, goats, hygiene, hair care, families, periods, babies etc. In addition we will bring inspirational guest speakers from Nairobi to talk to the girls once a month: a lady lawyer, a lady doctor, a lady chief, a shop owner, etc etc. Some of these speakers have already agreed to come.

So far, we have clubs operating in Mathare North and Sipili. Read more!