Our Stories

In the communities where So They Can works, up to 60% of girls are at risk of dropping out of school and having their futures cut short due to child marriage or Female Genital Cutting (FGC). Poverty, social pressure, and limited opportunities often leave families feeling like they have no other option.

Through our education and community-led programs, So They Can is working alongside families to change this reality, helping young girls to stay in school and pursue their dreams.

Judy is one of those girls.

Now in Form 3 at Nginyang Girls Secondary School in Baringo, Kenya, Judy speaks with excitement about her dream of becoming a teacher — however, just a few years ago, her future looked very different.

Judy is the firstborn in a family of 6 children, raised by her mother after the loss of her father to illness. With no stable income, her mother relied on casual jobs to support the family. But even with constant hard work, it was never enough to meet the family’s daily needs.

As Judy approached the end of primary school, she was told that after completing Class 8, she would undergo FGC and be sold off into marriage for a dowry. 

Judy was desperate to continue with her education, but she feared the worst. She had already watched two of her cousins leave school to go through FGC and enter early marriages, and she worried the same path awaited her. The idea of leaving school meant letting go of her dreams before they had even begun.

So They Can’s Family Strengthening Project 

Everything changed when Judy and her family joined the So They Can Family Strengthening Project in 2023.

Through the project, Judy’s school fees were paid, allowing her to transition to secondary school. Her siblings also received support to remain in education, easing the financial strain on the household. At the same time, counselling sessions helped Judy’s mother better understand the risks and long-term consequences of FGC and early marriage.

Over time, attitudes within the family began to shift. Judy’s mother, once determined that early marriage was the only pathway, became a strong advocate for her children’s education.

“So They Can has paid for my school fees and ensured my siblings are also in school,” said Judy.

Today, Judy is focused on her studies and filled with hope for the future. She dreams of becoming a teacher so she can educate the next generation and inspire young girls, just like her, to stand up for their rights.

Judy’s story is a powerful reminder that when families receive the right support, cycles of poverty and harmful practices like FGC and child marriage can be broken. 

Want to support girls’ rights to education, safety and a future free from extreme poverty? Donate, sponsor, get involved with 1HumanRace or become a partner.