Faith Tekenet, a 15-year-old Maasai girl from Ewuaso Kedong’ Village in Kajiado West, was forced into marriage at the tender age of 13 due to her family’s financial hardships. Her father, battling substance abuse, saw marriage as a means to alleviate his financial burden, while her mother struggled to provide for the family through her small artisan business. Faith’s situation reflects the harsh reality girls face in similar communities—where poverty, lack of education, and harmful cultural practices like early marriage strip them of their childhood and future opportunities. The societal costs of inaction are immense, leading to a cycle of poverty, limited education, and gender inequality.
Faith’s grandmother, recognising the injustice of her situation, acted by reporting the forced marriage to local authorities. The legal process involved charging the ‘husband’ under Kenya’s Children’s Act and other relevant laws that protect minors from forced marriages and exploitation. The Children’s Office sought and obtained a court committal order to ensure Faith’s protection and well-being. This order legally placed Faith under the care of Nice Place Foundation (NPF), ensuring that she would be in a safe environment where her rights and needs would be prioritised. This intervention also led to the arrest of both Faith’s father and her ‘husband.’
At NPF, Faith found not just shelter but a community of support. The Safe Shelter and Scholarship Program provided her with the basic needs, emotional support, and education she had been denied. With the help of NPF and its partners, Faith was enrolled in secondary school, where she is going after her dream of becoming a journalist. Since its inception, the Nice Place Foundation Safe Shelter programme has provided a safe space to over 90 girls and provided 300 scholarships to girls in need.
Faith’s life took a positive turn as she was given the opportunity to continue her education and live in a safe environment. The scholarship she received allowed her to compete with her peers, giving her hope for a brighter future. Faith’s aspiration to become a journalist is driven by her desire to expose injustices and bring about change in her community. Her story is one of resilience and the transformative power of education. Through NPF’s intervention, Faith was rescued from an unjust situation and empowered to build her chosen future.
Faith’s story underscores the need for sustained support and advocacy for girls at risk of early marriage and other forms of gender-based violence. It highlights the importance of legal frameworks and community awareness in protecting vulnerable children. NPF’s work models how targeted interventions can disrupt harmful practices and create opportunities for girls to achieve their dreams. Continued funding and policy support are essential to expand these programs and protect more girls like Faith.
