Nairoshi Foundation
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse Proudly Supports the Work of the Nairoshi Foundation and through Internal Staff Fundraising, Sponsors the Education of Three Females in Africa
As an agency that works towards enhancing the health and well-being of all individuals and our broader community, Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse have been fundraising internally to support three young adolescent females – Ann Wangoi, Mary Kilerai and Sitein Muntet, in the Maasai communities in Africa to pay for their schooling so to advance their education and live healthier lives than what they would have without the opportunity of an education.
A traditional practice in the Maasai communities as well as many other communities within Africa is the sale and/or trade of young girls for livestock. Because of this, girls’ value within their communities is often seen through the lens of an economic gain by what their sale can generate for their families. It is often spoken that “a man with many daughters is very wealthy.”
The Narioshi Foundation was established to provide interventions to alleviate the plight of children, women and men in difficult circumstances in the local Maasai community. One of the Foundation’s goals is to provide quality accessible education for children.
Many children in the Maasai community are unable to attend school due to financial problems; due to the distance and danger involved in getting to and from school; or attend schools that have inadequate and/or minimal resources. On top of that, girls are often pressured to leave school and marry at a young age to help support their families.
The Narioshi Foundation recognizes that education is one of the most significant ways to bring about change in communities, and through educating parents, religious leaders, community members, family members, etc. on the risks of child marriage and messages of educational opportunity for children and girls not having to be forced and sold into marriage agreements is having a dramatic impact on the lives of young girls.
Recent studies found that:
Girls who complete primary and secondary education tend to marry later, have smaller families and earn significantly higher wages.
Girls’ education has been posited as a “vaccine” against HIV/AIDS, with comparative analysis of data of non-educated and educated women showing a substantial difference in infection rates.
Currently women’s representation in economics, politics and decision making is often minimal and consequently globally we are experiencing a significant loss of human development because of gender disparities. Education can decrease the challenges posed by gender gaps and open up significant growth opportunities by reducing them.
Educating a girl changes her destiny, as well as those of her future children, and ensures that she can contribute to the economic life of her community.
CCASA is proud of the work that the Narioshi Foundation is doing in their work towards supporting females in their communities and working towards creating healthier lives and opportunities for them.
Nairoshi Foundation website
Nairoshi Foundation Facebook site
