Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-13 13:24:54
This year, a Valentine’s Day dinner is slated to take place at Sarova Panafric in Nairobi, where guests will spend a lavish evening from 6pm to 11pm, with each ticket costing Sh6,000 per person. However, this dinner is not your typical romantic affair. Instead, the proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the education of girls on Mfangano Island, located more than 300 kilometers away from the city.
Mfangano Island, situated in Homa Bay County, is home to around 25,000 people whose primary source of income is fishing. However, the island is grappling with an alarming issue regarding the education and safety of young girls. Elizabeth Mwemba, the programme management lead of Abiero Girls’ Empowerment, shed light on the dire situation that plagues the island. She revealed that it is common for girls as young as seven or nine to become victims of sexual exploitation, leading to early pregnancies and subsequently, dropping out of school. Additionally, the remote island lacks awareness and enforcement of laws to protect these vulnerable girls, allowing perpetrators to escape consequences for their actions.
Ms. Mwemba emphasized the urgent need to address this situation, stating that the poverty levels on the island often force parents to give their young daughters away in exchange for fish, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and neglect. Last year alone, there were 282 reported cases of girls under the age of 14 becoming pregnant on the island, highlighting the severity of the issue.
Abiero Girls’ Empowerment is dedicated to providing a solution to this crisis by using the proceeds from the Valentine’s Day dinner to sponsor the education of young girls on Mfangano Island. The organization aims to offer these girls access to quality education and empower them to break free from the cycle of early pregnancies and limited opportunities. Currently, they work in collaboration with Wasamo Girls Boarding Secondary School, the sole girls’ boarding facility on the island, where they sponsor 45 out of approximately 120 girls enrolled.
Ms. Mwemba stressed that the Valentine’s Day dinner is not just a fundraising event, but an expression of love and support for these vulnerable girls. She highlighted the significance of leveraging a day dedicated to love to demonstrate compassion and provide the means for these girls to access a better future. Last year, one of the girls sponsored by Abiero Girls’ Empowerment excelled in her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams, achieving a remarkable B- grade despite the daunting circumstances she faced as a young mother.
By participating in the Valentine’s Day dinner, guests have the opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause that will make a tangible difference in the lives of the girls on Mfangano Island. Each ticket purchased will not only grant access to an exclusive evening of fine dining and entertainment, but also serve as a gesture of solidarity and support for the marginalized girls who deserve a chance for a brighter future. This Valentine’s Day, love will transcend beyond romantic gestures and dinner dates, as it will be an opportunity to invest in the empowerment and education of young girls in need.
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