Jennifer’s Dream

Jennifer is a 12-year-old girl from Samburu County, currently in class 7 in Reteti Primary School. She is among the lucky girls from the Lowabene locality. She was rescued from forced early marriage in 2020 at the age of 10 through the help of Wezesha Vijana Program, and teacher-mentor, Mrs. Menelik Lenkaina.

In 2020, when Covid-19 hit, Jennifer’s father lost his job. Since there was no source for their livelihood, her parents forced her to marry a stranger in exchange for dowry in the form of cattle. Mrs. Menelik, empowered through Asante Africa Foundation’s Wezesha Vijana Program, did everything in her power to prevent this marriage by approaching Jeniffer’s father, and persuading him to let his daughter continue her education.

Jennifer received a scholarship from Asante Africa Foundation and currently is committed to her studies. Though she is struggling with anxiety caused by her past trauma, every day she decides not to give up and looks forward to becoming a doctor. Mrs. Malik is the chairperson of the Wezesha Vijana Program and works in the same school as her. She monitors Jennifer’s well-being and whereabouts every day and is committed to seeing her complete her education and chasing her dreams.