Educate & Give voice to HODI Girls in North Kenya

This was just the begining of my tough journey into getting the girls to stay in school, but for the two girls Kula and Hilda it is beyond the game. It is helping them stay in school and also perform in their schools. 

“When I joined HODI in 2013, my mother told me I couldn’t play. Sometimes she even locked me up in the house, scolded me and even beat me to stop me from going. Or when I sneaked out and she found out, she would come to the field and drag me out and scold the coach. She said football wasn’t proper, that it isn’t for girls,” says the 15yrs old Hilda, one of the members of the girl’s teams.

Kula, 16, adds: “My family refused to let me play at first. I was told that it was against my religion and culture for a girl to play. . But I love football because other than the game, I have learnt other things that have made me a better person, mostly things about being a good girl,” she says.

As HODI we are using football to break the silence on issues of early marriage; FGM, beading and dropping out of school. They learn how to use their voice and stand up for theselves and say NO. This is a major shift from a culture where girls can only be seen and not heard. Your donation has supported the lifeskills training which are very important in keeping the girls out of early marriage. You have hlped break the cycle of violence, at 15 and 16 they are just young teenagers who should be home with their parents and in school studying. Unlike the 2 girls most girls face the danger of marriage as early as 12 years. 

It is not an easy journey but it takes a team to win a game; you have all made a commitment to help break the silence on issues that affect the girls; as individuals and other funders they now have a future, your donations help train them on life skills and pay school fees for the girls.

One girl will need almost $2,400 to be able to complete her 4 academic years. The cost also includes supply of sanitary pads and lifeskills training. While we have managed to put a few of the girls in schooll ours is a bigger dream and we would like to get more girls transition to high school and go on to college! We will keep you posted as we take one step at a time. 

It is already past midnight in Kenya and time for me to take some rest!