Orchid Project’s Knowledge and Programmes Coordinator Lucy visited Kenya last week with Feed The Minds to meet with our partner ECAW. They are half-way through implementing a two year programme toward ending female genital cutting in Kuria where the prevalence of FGC is 80%. Considerable progress has been made in 2014, particularly in strengthening ECAW’s model of change, capacity building of the project team and extending ECAW’s work to many more people. Here is a selection of photos from the week…
- ECAW staff discussing the successes and challenges over the past year
- Grinding maize in Kehancha, Kuria nearby ECAW’s office
- Helen, 20, who regularly talks to girls in her community about the effects of cutting
- Coletha, Lead Paralegal in Kegonga, has been working with ECAW for eight years raising awareness of FGC
- ECAW paralegals after a training workshop on facilitating community forums
- Mama Lilian, paralegal in Taranganya, regularly initiates conversations on FGC amongst families in her congregation
- Gati, 15 who will remain uncut thanks to family dialogue started by ECAW paralegal Mama Lilian
- Gati’s homestead where surrounding neighbours say that they now feel confident to abandon the practice and support each other in the decision not to cut
- Hyrene’s daughter, Gati’s neighbour, will not be cut
- Cess, ECAW Programme Officer
- People gathered together for a community forum to discuss FGC, why it happens, the impacts and how they may work as a community to end it
- One religious leader states his church’s position on FGC – which includes banning girls who undergo the cut – at a workshop for religious leaders
- Another religious leader gives his views on the practice
- Observing the religious leaders workshop from the sidelines
- Joseph, ECAW paralegal and teacher who works with parents to support them in becoming ambassadors to end the practice
- Cheering on the work of ECAW after a community forum
- Josephine, ECAW’s finance officer, creating an activity plan for 2015
