Testimonies: Excerpts from girls' letters to their sponsors
Chepkopus Dorcus: “We had a good Christmas day [at home, during the school break]. But the next day, the village elders called us girls and told us to cut. . . .We were very scared. Many of us refused to cut. But others agreed. My auntie took me to her home. I stayed with her until I came to school. Now I am worried about my friends who agreed to cut. This year all the girls from my district at PHS will not go home for holidays. If we go home, elders might force us to cut. So we shall be at school all year.”
Chebet Caroline: “The rest of my family can’t explain how someone you do not know can pay your fees. They are in awe of your generosity. This has also taught me to value others beyond race, ethnicity and origins. I hope that one day I will be able to do the same for someone else.”
Inyelle Irene: “. . . [Y]ou have given me a privilege to continue with my education, something that I had never thought of. Most of my friends stayed on at home. They could not continue with secondary school education. I am grateful that in the school that I am in, we are well catered for, the teachers and administration are good and supportive. Please do not worry too much, even though this is a circumcision year. I know that my boldness to say no to FGM will also encourage other girls to say no too.”
Kalemunyang Selina: “I thank God for our directors and teachers who have also done all they can to make our schooling better every single day. We are very many students in the school. This has given me a chance to have friends and interact with different cultures. We have students from Tanzania and Kenya. For this I just realized that we are basically the same, with the same motivation of getting a good education.”
Atim Pauline: “I am proud to have such loving and caring [godparents] that not only pay my school fees but also encourage me to be the better person in life. I thank God, who gave you a supportive heart. . . . I love you very much. I hope that one day soon, I will be more like you – good, loving, kind and supportive of other people.”
Nambozo Rehema: “You have provided me with a lifetime opportunity that many would desire to have. Your existence has played a big role in my life, not just academically but also the appreciation of cultural diversity. If you can love me this much, it has taught me to love others irrespective of origin, color or race. When I look back at how far you have stood with me to have a good quality education, a thank-you is not enough. This year I will be sitting for my final secondary school exams to qualify for university. The road has been long, but you have never gone weary. I am thankful for your loyalty and love. I am also grateful for encouraging us to stand up for our rights and say no to FGM. This being a circumcision year, our role is also to encourage other young girls to say NO. We are thankful for the Godparents Association, our vision bearer. Since you are already playing your part, my part this year is to work hard and make it to university on government scholarship.”
Cherop Rebecca: “I am thankful for your unconditional love for me. My life has not been the same. You have changed me in so many ways. Thank you for the financial support all through the years . . . I am looking forward to bringing in a good harvest with the best academic results at the end of the education system, so that you and I can enjoy the fruits of our labor.”
Chelangat Joan: “When I was still at home, in my village, all I ever thought of was studying up to primary seven. The thought of going to senior secondary school was an illusion. . . . I was very sure that with time I would get married and end up as extra-hand help at the family farm. Many of my friends are seated at home. For this I am thankful, that I am not one of those seated at home. . . . I am very thankful that with your support towards my education, I have reason to believe that one’s dreams can come true.”
Cherotich Claudine: “I am grateful to you for your love and financial support . . . . I pray that God will give you all that your heart desires, basing on your love for others, people like me. I can hardly express my gratitude to you but rather than a simple THANK YOU. . . . Much as we are far from each other because of the distance, we are together in the spirit. I really look forward to meeting you someday.”
Kizza Vanis: “Thank you for paying my school fees the whole of last year, inclusive of all my school requirements. I am very grateful. May God bless you and your whole family. Your support was really a life saver since that is the time that I had lost my father, our only source of financial help at the time. I was never sure that I would go far with my academics. With given chance, I am looking forward to working harder for better results. I am very grateful that with your self-sacrifice for me, I am going to be a better leader tomorrow, because the world we live in revolves around those with a good education.”
Chebet Shillah: “During my holiday, I faced a few challenges. My grandmother took efforts to lure me back into the circumcision bracket since this year would be a year for circumcision. I was greatly disturbed and worried. I had to get into prayer over this very issue and hope that God will help me out of this one. On one occasion, I ran away from home and went to my auntie’s home. She is a born-again Christian. She prayed with me and encouraged me to fast and pray over this issue. She later went to see my grandmother and talked with her about my decision not to get circumcised. For sure, I am so relieved that the school term has started. Because of your support and encouragement, I can say no to FGM. Many of the girls back home are ever threatened with the statement: ‘We will not pay for your education if you do not agree to the knife.’ Many of my friends have fallen victims of this kind of cruel joke. In the end they became housewives since tradition regards them grown-up women once they see the knife. With this privilege, I am more than determined to continue with my education.”
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