BREAKING Chains: My story as a Maasai girl who chose Education

Despite these challenges, I fought against the odds to pursue my dreams. Early marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are one of the biggest obstacles I faced. I was under pressure to undergo FGM and get married at a young age.

In my community, this practice was seen as a rite of passage into womanhood. Once a girl underwent FGM, she was considered ready for marriage, and education was no longer a priority. I watched many of my friends drop out of school because they were forced into early marriages. The thought of losing my dreams to those traditions filled me with fear and sadness.

I was taught that education was meant for boys. Many elders in the community believed that a girl's role was to take care of family, fetch water and cook.

Whenever I expressed my desire to continue my studies, I was told that I become a wife and mother. This belief made it difficult for my parents to support my education, as they saw it as a waste of resources.  

Walking long distances to school unlike boys, who had fewer household responsibilities, I had to wake up early to complete my chores before heading to school. The journey to school was long and tiring, sometimes taking hours on the way. I feared being harassed or attacked by wild animals, as my village was far from town. Many girls in my community stopped going to school because of those dangers. 

My family like many others in the Maasai community only depended on their livestock for a living, therefore struggled to afford school fees mostly during times of drought were most of their animals starve to death often. My parents would say that they could only afford to educate my brothers because they would later take care of the family. I had to fight to prove that I was just as capable and deserving of education as my male siblings. 

Growing up, I rarely saw educated Maasai women, which made it hard to believe that I could succeed. I longed for someone to look up to, someone who had walked this difficult path and made it. Without encouragement, many girls like me gave up on their dreams, believing that education was not meant for them.

Despite these challenges, I refused to give up. With determination and the support of a few teachers and well-wishers, I continued my education. 

Today, more organizations and individuals are fighting for girls’ rights, helping to break the cycle of oppression. My story is just one among many.

One major challenge that people overlook is the lack of proper sanitation facilities in schools. Many schools did not have separate or hygiene toilet for girls making it extremely difficult for them, especially during their menstrual cycles without access to sanitary pads, many girls stayed home during their periods, missing several days or school each month.

In many Maasai communities, the primary language spoken at home was Maa, while schools taught in Kiswahili or English. This created a huge barrier for many girls who had never been exposed to those languages before attending school. Understanding lessons becomes a struggle, leading to frustration and lack of confidence. Some parents also discouraged girls from speaking other languages, fearing that they would abandon their culture.

Social stigma and community pressure often saw educated girls as a threat to tradition in my community. There was a belief that a girl who pursued education would become “rebellious” and refuse to marry or obey her elders. Some girls faced ridicule from relatives and neighbors who questioned why they were wasting time in school instead of preparing for marriage. This discouragement made it hard to stay motivated.

In the past, very few government initiatives focused on educating Maasai girls. Schools were poorly funded, and scholarships for girls were rare. It took years of activism before organizations and government policies started addressing the issue.

Despite those challenges, I refused to give up. I knew that education was my only chance to break free from the cycle of poverty and oppression. Today, I am proud to see that more Maasai girls are getting the opportunity to learn, and traditions are slowly changing. I share my story to remind young Maasai girls that their dreams are valid and that education is worth fighting for. If I could overcome these barriers, so can they.

Education is not just a privilege; it is a right, and no girl should ever be denied the chance to learn.