ONE CHILD’S STORY | NAOMI
 |
|
In 1998, Naomi Cherotich began as a Grade 1 student at her local school, Motony Primary in the Maasai Mara in Kenya. With overcrowded mud, cow dung and stick room classrooms, Naomi’s teacher conducted lessons under a tree on sunny days, and during the months-long rainy season her students stayed home.
About 19 miles away from Motony Primary there is a school with the facilities to continue classes through the rainy season. Wanting consistent education for her daughter, Naomi’s mother Esther sent her to board with relatives so she could attend the school. To ensure her daughter was being cared for, once a month Esther walked 19 miles on a dusty, rocky road to visit Naomi.
When Naomi reached the 6th grade, Esther discovered that Naomi’s caretakers were planning to circumcise her in order to prepare her for an early marriage at the age of 14—which would also end her education. Esther wasted no time in making the 19-mile journey, walking on the dusty, rocky road to intervene on her daughter’s behalf.
|
She reached Naomi just in time to rescue her.
Esther brought Naomi back home and registered her as a student in our newly-completed local school. The new school has 11 classrooms, a library, teachers’ offices, and access to clean water. All the lessons take place inside a brightly lit, clean and sturdy classroom—rain or shine!
“I would like to be able to help my fellow villagers in the community like my Mom helped me.”
Naomi loves school and is forever grateful to her Mom. Naomi is a great advocate for girls’ rights within the school.
She also loves to play soccer, always encouraging her female classmates to get out on the field!
Naomi excels at reading, science, and math and she hopes to one day be a doctor. She is inspired by Esther’s traditional work as a midwife and community health worker and wants to take it to the next level in her family.
|
