They have about 30 girls with 3 of their babies (2 or more of the other girls are currently pregnant). Most of the abuse is incest and in some of the tribal communities, when an unwed girl is found pregnant, she is banished (despite what the situation is surrounding her pregnancy). One of the girls there had been rescued from a forced marriage to an almost 40 year old white man (she was 13). The youngest was 3. Some rape is due to a belief (among some) that sex with a virgin will cure aids. Many of the perpetrators are never arrested and sometimes the girls cannot return home due to the abusive environment.*
We were welcomed into a common room where all the girls sat down and gave us some chairs. Most wore shy smiles. They each introduced themselves and told us their age. Then these beautiful girls sang us some African songs, the first about being saved by Christ. One song required someone to stand up and dance when their name was called, so Krystin and I obliged when called on. This was answered with much clapping. Auntie Agnes (the social worker) told us the history/story of the center then asked if we had anything to share.
As I looked at all those beautiful young women, I told them how I work with girls in similar situations back home. I told them to always remember they are loved, to be strong, and to keep going. I surprisingly shed some tears as I realized the pain some of these girls have experienced already in their young lives. I saw in their faces, the faces of the hundreds of girls I've worked with since 2006. I felt a deep love for them.
If/when I get to come back to Kenya, I will plan on spending more time with those girls at Ripples. To all my friends/colleagues working with similar clients, keep at it! You do make a difference! These children need us fighting for them in a world so full of dark and horrible things. They all deserve to feel safe and loved.
*I have no proven sources, this is just what we have been told by those working with these children.
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