Warrior Woman

How one Maasai girl said no to her 'destiny' in a forced marriage. By Linda Lauermann.

I am studying Lasoi’s face; it is the face of 16 year old girl with an exciting life ahead of her. She is top of her class and loves science lessons. When she smiles her eyes twinkle with intelligence and maturity. All this makes her story seem all the more remarkable.

“I didn’t want to leave my father and community, but I felt I had to flee, or my life was over.” Lasoi is a Maasai girl; a strong girl from a strong warrior race. You would have to be strong to do what she did…

Age 11 she had returned home to be greeted by her father and the other village elders. There and then she was subjected to a makeshift “operation” – a particularly brutal and dangerous form of female circumcision. It is illegal in Kenya but still widespread – especially among the Maasai.

But for Lasoi this was just the beginning of a potential nightmare: “Some time after this my father sat me down and told me I was due to be married. The man was 60 and had several wives already.” The dowry had already been paid; it was a done deal. This was the end of her education, of her dreams; a life of subservience lay ahead.

But she had an inkling that there might be a way out. Lasoi had become a Christian the previous year. She had heard the fiery Maasai preacher in her church teach that female circumcision was wrong and that girls had a right to an education. “I had never heard anything like this in my village. But I didn’t know what I could do – I had already been sold to support my father and his family. I decided to go to my church and beg for help.”

Mercifully the church swung into action: Pastor Simon from the church housed her, and paid for her to continue her education at a boarding school. The Pastor met the angry father several times, who believes he had already ‘sold’ her, explaining that Lasoi having a profession would mean more support for his family than a dowry ever could. The father gave Simon guardianship of his daughter – Lasoi was free.

Lasoi is one of hundreds of Maasai girls who would dearly love to escape the life-threatening operation and future life of servitude. I am here to agree a partnership between Mission Direct and the Maasai Evangelistic Association to make this a reality.

Pastor David sets out his vision for a new centre: over here will be the classrooms and behind us a dormitory with washroom. I am impressed: this is the sort of project that makes me want to drag my friends by the scruff of their necks over to Kenya. To meet Lasoi and hear her amazing story. To meet Pastor David, desperate to help more girls like Lasoi.

Lasoi talks about her dream to be a doctor. It is clear that she is clever enough to achieve this. Her father will surely be glad he let go of her as the money comes into the village. I wonder if I would be so gracious if my family had put me through an ordeal like that…

For more information about 2012 trips to Kenya call Linda Lauermann on 01582 720056 or click here.