Jane Nkoitai, from Samai Village in Loitokitok, Kajiado County, was born into a community where traditional practices such as Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) are deeply ingrained. As the sixth of eleven siblings, she witnessed her older sister endure the traumatic procedure, a rite of passage for Maasai girls. Like many girls in her community, Jane faced the threat of undergoing the same painful experience. FGM/C is not only physically harmful but also strips young girls of their autonomy and dignity. Without intervention, Jane’s fate seemed sealed – that of being forced into a cycle of harmful cultural norms. The costs of inaction were clear: the perpetuation of a harmful practice, the suppression of women’s voices, and the continued cycle of poverty and gender inequality.
Nice Place Foundation (NPF) stepped in at a critical moment in Jane’s life. Upon learning of Jane’s plight, Nice Leng’ete, the founder of NPF, provided Jane with refuge and support. NPF’s Safe Shelter and Scholarship Program became Jane’s lifeline, offering her a safe space to escape the impending FGM/C and an opportunity to continue her education. Jane was the first beneficiary of this program, which provided a haven and empowered her through training and mentorship.
The training she received at the NPF Leadership Academy is designed to equip girls with skills in leadership, personal development, advocacy, computer coding, sexual reproductive health and rights, and environmental conservation. To date, the Leadership Academy has reached 500 girls through the support of partners like the Postcode Lottery, which continues to play a crucial role in funding NPF initiatives.
Jane’s life was transformed by the support she received from NPF. She not only avoided the fate of FGM/C but also became a strong advocate against the practice. Through the training and mentorship she received, Jane gained the courage to share her story and become a leader in her community. Her transformation from a scared young girl into a confident agent of change is a testament to the power of NPF’s intervention and support. Jane has now completed her secondary education and is ready to begin her college studies, courtesy of the NPF Scholarship Program.
She continues to advocate within her community in Samai, an initiative of ‘Nice Clubs’ that empowers in-school girls. Her passion for ending harmful practices and promoting equality and social justice continues to motivate her. Her story is one of hope, resilience, and the power of education in changing lives. Jane’s success story highlights the critical importance of continued support for programs like those offered by NPF. It demonstrates the need for increased funding to expand these initiatives, ensuring that more girls can escape harmful practices and achieve their full potential.
