In the heart of Kenya’s Narok County, where tradition and progress collide, a powerful movement is quietly reshaping the future of young girls. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite a national ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) since 2011, this harmful practice persists, especially in rural areas, where cultural norms hold tight. Enter Mission with a Vision, a grassroots organization founded by Patrick Ngigi, which has become a beacon of hope for girls fleeing FGM, child marriage, and gender-based violence.
“FGM is shrouded in secrecy, and in some Narok villages, nearly every girl undergoes it,” Mr. Ngigi reveals. While Kenya has made strides—reducing FGM rates from over 30% in 2002 to 15% in 2022—thousands of girls still face this brutal practice annually. And this is the part most people miss: even with legal prohibitions, deep-rooted cultural beliefs and social pressures keep FGM alive, particularly in remote communities.
Mission with a Vision, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), offers more than just shelter. It began modestly in 1997 when Mr. Ngigi, then a headmaster, took in a girl desperate to escape child marriage. “I brought her to my mother’s house—that’s how it all started,” he recalls. Today, the organization operates two facilities housing up to 120 girls, providing safety, education, counseling, and vocational training. Since its inception, it has supported over 3,200 girls, turning despair into hope.
Take Esther Kulet, who fled home at 14 to avoid FGM and forced marriage. “My family was ashamed because everyone in the community knew,” she shares. At the shelter, she completed her education, went on to university, and now works as a veterinary officer at 22. “I’m a role model in my family now,” she says proudly. Then there’s Maryanne, who, after losing her mother and enduring abusive work conditions, found solace at the shelter. Today, she mentors 20 girls, urging them, “Don’t give up—nothing is impossible.”
The shelter isn’t just about survival; it’s about healing. Shared meals, laughter, and songs create a sense of family. “At Christmas, we cook chapati and cabbage, dance, and feel at home,” Maryanne says. Yet, the demand for such safe spaces far exceeds supply. A 2022 report revealed Kenya has only 54 shelters across 18 of its 47 counties, many operating on shoestring budgets and at risk of closure.
Here’s the bold truth: despite these challenges, Mission with a Vision is expanding its impact. With funding from Norway and UNFPA, it’s enhancing skills training, improving living conditions, and running outreach programs to shift harmful social norms. In one Maasai village notorious for FGM, elders now send girls to the shelter for protection and education. “You can’t fight culture with force—only with a mindset shift,” Mr. Ngigi asserts. “When girls succeed, communities evolve.”
Reconciliation is another pillar. Through mediation, many girls reunite with their families in safer environments. Esther’s success as a veterinary professional challenges gender stereotypes in her community. “People thought this field was only for men,” she says. “Now, they see girls can excel too.”
Through resilience, education, and compassion, Mission with a Vision proves that empowering girls transforms entire communities. But here’s the question: How can we scale these efforts to reach every girl in need? What role should governments, NGOs, and communities play in ending FGM and child marriage once and for all? Share your thoughts below—let’s spark a conversation that drives change.
