“Chesang, now that you are done with primary school you know what’s next, you are a grown up girl, and you are a woman.
“Kakwit poroyin nyo kiriamoy ngo’ kokomelkong” (it is time to meet the cutter”) your husband is waiting my child.
These words said by my father sent a chilling sensation through my spine, I had just completed my primary school and not even a week had passed by, “how could they think about such a thing? Is tradition more important than my future?
At the age of 13 years ,being a third born in a family of 8 and the first girl in a family that had other 12 children, my father was polygamous with three wives and 20 children , in a small village called
“Lounon” In West Pokot county.
My older step siblings were married off in this way to men thrice their age as either third or fourth wives, living miserably, toiling in peoples farms so that they can put food on their table, having undergone the cut and having problems while giving birth, I had to think of a solution before the worst happens to me.
That morning after my father said those words, his face straight and his eyes not blinking a bit, I ran to my mother for help, I found her in our small thatched kitchen, her eyes red and swollen, at first I thought it Is from the billowing smoke from preparing black tea and usual cassava for breakfast…but then, she wailed bitterly and said with a sound not so loud “it is done child, you are to be circumcised in two days’ time and married off in two weeks’ time to Mzee Lokiarima,the village traditional herbalist, not even I can go against your fathers will”
I ran as fast as my small legs could carry me, crossing maize fields and rivers, straight to Sister Macbeth’s door, my primary school sister. Told her the story and that is how this 13 year old was rescued, sponsored to high school, university, while fighting for women and girls rights in a society,
A foundation was born, with its name I-REP foundation, and a rescue center formed in the former primary school, with over 30 rescued girls. This organization has so far rescued and sponsored a lot of girls, around and beyond west Pokot County.
This is the story of Domtila Chesang founder and CEO of I-REP foundation.
37 Responses
Her move to run away “from the knife” to even running a program and campaign to end FGM was the greatest idea. No better success than that implemented out of experience. Nice work and keep it up Chesang.
This is a nice read, let us fight this menace called FGM in our community
We can End this FGM in this community together.
What a nice writing. Keep it up
Let’s put an end to FGM
Great works….. always speaking for those who are unable to come out boldly and speak
Thanks for shedding light on this issue which has destroyed the lives of many young girls who are forced into marriages while young.
Nice read.
Very insightful
Effective efforts to end this practice require a more interventions,,lets fight this together
Good work. Keep it up
Let’s fight FGM to save girl child 🚸
FGM is a thing of the past and a selfish act in the present that should be condemned. This is a good piece, keep pressing until when the act is completely faced out.
This is a nice piece and we should come together and fight this animal called FGM and restore the dignity of our daughters, sister and mother’s
Nice read #End FGM!
Thank you for such a nice peace, one day FGM will be a thing of the past
Thank you for this nice peace,I have been educated better on FGM
GOOD PIECE
Nice article, FGM must end.
Nice piece. Continue fiercelessly fighting this brutal menace
Amazing success story. How I pray you attain the 100% transformation for the girls rescued and the same reciprocal energy to make you reach more girls being forced to take the retrogressive act of culture.
This will However, built the gender dignity and increase their participation in leadership and building this great nation.
Hongera Chesang for taking this bold step
Nice work being done to cub Fgm in our community
Nice article,let’s end FGM
Nice one @Salome Cheruto. The story portrays a real picture of what goes on in our society and which needs to be stopped with immediate effect.
I wish I could like it again and again .
That move of running away wasn’t that easy, you escaped the cut and early marriage..with the good job you are doing as the CEO I_rep foundation..may God bless you Dommie.ensuring that vulnerable girl is in school..congratulations dear
great work💪
Whatever you are doing, God bless. So noble.
Good work @ Salome cheruto support gender equality and girls’ and women’s rights; Empower young people to end FGM in their communities.May our good Lord bless you
Nice one @salome cheruto ..keep it up
Insightful story,keep up the good work
A masterpiece to always remind the society its position in the race against FGM.
Future is feminine
#ENDFGMNOW
That is indeed a nice way to give our people knowledge about FGM which is even a life-threatening and may bring lifetime consequences, Miss Salome I like your ideas and teachings which is beneficial to our society
Thanks for bringing this into light. It’s our joy to see an end to FGM and Early Marriages.For the great efforts,keep up!!!
Best article there is,FGM must end!
FGM must end! Great article
Thank you for this article,glad chesang did something good
Inspiring story and emotional at the same time. Thank you for following your instincts and ‘murife-ing’, now many girls have found a saviour in you. Keep it up!
The struggles that girls go through each day as they grow is harrowing to say the least. Each day girls at menstrual age undergo forced FGM for wealth by their poor parents. This is quite a reading to inform the public on how poverty and culture in Pokot community has affected girls and those that got rescued have excelled in life to be mentors of the young generations. Kudos to Chesang, many of the girls look upon you