Our Work
The mission of Pastoralist Child Foundation is to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and forced early marriages, primarily Samburu and Maasai Mara regions.
Pastoralist Child Foundation’s founders, directors and facilitators work at the grassroots level to accelerate the abandonment of FGM and child marriage. They’re very well respected, educated professionals and pioneers in educating their communities at the grassroots level. They have seen, first-hand, the suffering girls and women endure as a result of undergoing FGM and being forced to marry without a choice. They’re fighting for girls’ rights to education and have the support of teachers, religious leaders, village chiefs, law enforcement, local and national government. Workshops are given in the local language by FGM experts.
Through mobilization and education, Pastoralist Child Foundation replaces harmful practices with Alternative Rites of Passage, and sponsors girls’ education at the secondary school and university level for high performing students.
Workshops focus on FGM, child marriage, teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, sexual u0026amp; reproductive health, self-awareness, self-confidence, child rights, and the importance of formal education.
In an effort to educate girls and the communities in which they live, Pastoralist Child Foundation (PCF) provides 4-day workshops for girls ages 12-17 during school holidays in April, August and December. These months are commonly called “cutting season.” Adult community dialogues are held throughout the year.
The rate of FGM is 95% in Samburu and Maasai Mara (Narok) counties. The primary school dropout rate is 93%. PCF trains youth leaders and change agents from the villages who provide valuable advice and keep the inter-generational dialogues alive to increase support for the abandonment of FGM and child marriage.
PCF is replacing FGM with safe Alternative Rites of Passage for girls. In addition, PCF’s scholarship program provides full tuition and boarding for very low-income, high performing secondary school and univeristy students. Girls are required to maintain good grades, be model citizens, demonstrate leadership skills, and volunteer at PCF’s workshops during school holidays.
