One of the things that had been most impactful as well as challenging is our girls ministry. Each Friday, 4 of us girls go to a local primary school to talk with 8-14 year old girls about…well…girl stuff!! Unfortunately, most of these girls are either orphaned and are raising kids themselves or just don’t have family members who help teach them about themselves, their bodies, and their worth as women. Though they are very young, they are dealing with issues way beyond their years, not by choice but rather because circumstances forced them into it. So even though I love this ministry, it is a very difficult one. Lots of these girls have questions about their periods, hygiene, providing for themselves when there is no one else who can, and defending themselves. It is shocking to me that they have to come to us for answers to these questions, but I am glad that we can provide a safe environment for them to talk. We are also teaching them to respect and protect their bodies. We talk to them about not needing men to provide things for them. We teach them ways to provide for their own needs when their families can’t. That is why so many of these girls turn to men, they see them as a source of security and provision. The end result, however, is usually a 15 year old mother with no education and no husband to support her and the baby. It is so important to me that these beautiful young girls know their worth, the treasure that they are to God. I want them to know that they are worth more than the price of a nice outfit, they are worth more than what the boys give them. They are incredible young women with huge potential. I see a generation of young women who can change Mbita, who can change Kenya, who can change Africa, but first they have to recognize the incredible potential and value God has made in them.
We also give self-defense lessons because some of these girls are victims of abuse. They have been raped, sexually assaulted, or pushed towards forms of prostitution by their families for money. What hurts the most is that they have no one to turn to. The police system here is completely corrupt. Most police will protect the abuser while some of the police themselves are the ones abusing the girls. Family members are sometimes an option, though once again, it is often the family members themselves who are the abusers; step-fathers, step-brothers, uncles, the list goes on. However, the most shocking story that I have heard is that sometimes, when the family is poor enough, the parents will let the rapist pay them to do it again. Just the thought puts a knot in my stomach… it angers me beyond words. So many of these girls are broken and crying out for help, for love, for safety… it just breaks my heart that they have no one who will fight for them, and I am determined to stand in that gap and give them a voice. I don’t exactly know how I can help bring a long term change, but right now, in this moment, I’m determined to do all I can. We teach them how to protect themselves as well as one another. They are learning to stand up for themselves and their sisters, to fight against the abuse, to have a voice!!! These are strong young women, stronger than I ever was at their age, and after the lessons we gave and what they have learned, I dare say they are a force to be reckoned with.
