The Women’s Centre

Before, I talk about the women’s centre, I wanted to tell you about a patient yesterday that was bitten by a dog. Anyways, while waiting, she taught me some of the kikuyu language (the local tribe). Wi mwega means “are you fine?”, and de mwega means “I am fine.” She also taught me lots of the body parts…I’m going to try to remember them all…

So today is actually a holiday, as the country is mourning the late president. As a result, we decided to go to the Women’s Centre instead.

This place helps give shelter to women who are victims of sexual abuse. It’s very heartbreaking because these girls are so young (12-16 yrs old). Parents would sell the girls for money, some traded sex for food, and others were raped. The purpose of the centre is to help the girls by showing them that they are valuable. Many girls here experience so much shame, and we teach them that God loves them and made them. For that reason, there is no shame in that they are women or in their bodies, and God has a plan for them. The goal for each women is to teach them skills (such as sewing, gardening etc.) that they can use to provide for themselves and their child. In this way, we hope that the centre can be sustainable, and each girl will be successful.

I started dancing some contemporary, and got some of the girls to join me. I tried to teach some…and it didn’t really work. But who cares! We had fun! I really think dancing is one of those universal languages:)

I also really believe this is so important, especially for people who have grown up too fast.

And they like to play with my hair:)

In addition to buying food for the Tea Village, I plan to use the money I raise to buy supplies for this centre to help teach these girls skills they can use to provide for themselves (www.gofundme.com/help-families-in-limuru-kenya).

More stories later!

Happy Adventuring!

Gabrianne