By Ibrahim Lenguris (YES 2015-2016, Kenya, placed by World Link in Belleville, IL)

My exchange year in Illinois sparked a passion for community service and advocacy. The sense of community I experienced in the U.S. inspired me to bring these lessons back home to Samburu, Kenya, where girls face challenging cultural norms, resulting in teen pregnancy, early marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM).

I applied for a YES Alumni Grant to help address cultural practices that prevent many young girls from realizing their full potential. Despite the challenges, I believe in the strength of my community and that, with the right support, we can make a lasting impact. The grant enabled me to organize a three-day workshop aimed at empowering girls and helping them break free from restrictive cultural norms.

In August 2024, the Safeguard Samburu Girls Project took place in Lodokejek, the remote area where I grew up. The workshop engaged 76 participants in interactive sessions to educate them on their rights, reproductive health, and the importance of pursuing education, extracurricular activities, and career development. Through group discussion, activities, and role-playing, we equipped them with the knowledge needed to recognize and challenge cultural practices that won’t serve them in pursuit of a better future.

While our participants face significant cultural and societal pressures, they hold the key to breaking these cycles and driving change within the community. By the end of the project, we developed an action plan with the girls, outlining their commitments to personal growth, education, and empowerment. Their determination was incredibly inspiring, as they voiced their desire to push for change – not just for themselves but for future generations.

One girl shared, “This workshop has opened my eyes to the harm of FGM. I now feel confident to speak out against it and educate my friends about its dangers.” This shift in mindset is exactly what we hoped to achieve, and while it’s still early, I’m confident that the girls will continue building on the knowledge they gained.

I aim to collaborate with local leaders, parents, and organizations to ensure that these girls are supported in their pursuit of education and personal development. My long-term vision for the project is to expand its reach to more girls within the community and beyond. I hope to create more spaces for open discussions around these issues, leading to lasting, impactful solutions.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the YES program for giving me the opportunity to make a difference, and to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for their sponsorship. Special thanks also goes to my dedicated team of fellow alumni – Ann Kanchori, Peter Kigika – and our facilitators Nancy Ndung’u, Robin Letunta, Esther Kimani, Christine Leparselu, Andrew Lepariyo, Jeska Letrok, and Johnson Lekeren for their unwavering support in making this project a success. This journey has just begun, and I am excited to continue empowering girls in Samburu.

Ann Kanchori (YES 2015-2016, Kenya, placed by AFS-USA in Fort Wayne, IN)
Peter Kigika (YES 2017-2018, Kenya, placed by PAX in Menasha, WI)