Purity* was traumatized. Her brother had sold her to a local man who paid Purity’s brother for the privilege of marrying her. But part of the agreement was that Purity had to first be mutilated, through a horrific cultural practice called FGM or Female Genital Mutilation.
Although FGM has been outlawed in Kenya, it is still practiced on girls in secret as it is considered by many to be a necessary rite of passage for a girl to become a woman.
FGM has immediate and long term effects on women’s health including severe bleeding, infections, infertility, complications in childbirth, and increased risk of newborn deaths. The procedure also results in post-traumatic stress and sometimes death.
Each1 Feed1 provides girls an alternate Christ-centered program meant to bring girls to womanhood without causing them physical harm.
This program is designed to teach girls the wonderful truth of who they are in Christ.
We also provide a safe haven for girls to run to if they are in danger of becoming a victim of FGM or if they have been a victim of FGM. Purity is one of those girls. Her story is true although her name has been changed to protect her identity.
February 6 is International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. A gift of any amount during the month of February will help protect girls from the awful practice of FGM.
Together we can make a difference in the life a vulnerable girl.
Thank you for your continued support!
Victoria McCarter