Betrothed at age 5, Kakenya grew up in a home where her father was rarely present. Her mother did not want her to live the life that she was living. She could not own any property and her husband (Kakenya’s father) had the rights to all of her property. He abused her mother and was at times, a raging alcoholic. She knew that her way out was by obtaining a good education. However, Kakenya would have to make a bargain that the average person could not fathom. She told her dad that she would undergo a traditional female circumcision process in exchange for continuing her education. Her father agreed and that was the beginning of her journey.

Here in the U.S., the right to a free education is a privilege taken for granted by many children, and even their parents. For Kakenya to be able to move to the U.S. and go to college, she had to have the full support of her village. Despite having scholarships, she would even need their financial blessing in order to obtain a plane ticket. This was an arduous task, she would arise early in the morning for 17 days and seek the permission of each male elder.

Kakenya eventually made it to the U.S., but more importantly, she went back to her village and sought the permission of her elders once again, to open a school just for girls. You see in her village, girls that walked to school ran the risk of being raped. Kakenya did the admirable thing which was to return home and invest in her community, rather than stay away and continue to invest in herself. Kakenya closes her talk with a very strong statement, “Be the first, people will follow you”. This is a reminder to us all, that we each have a purpose. Our personal goals are not just for us, but we are to take our accomplishments and find a way to help others. As I wrap up my doctoral studies, Kakenya’s story has served as a strong reminder, that this degree is not just about getting letters behind my name. It will serve as a catalyst to be an educational changer.

https://www.ted.com/talks/kakenya_ntaiya_a_girl_who_demanded_school#t-896739