Old Man's Bride

Two young Maasai girls from Kajiado came to see us today. We thought they were interested in doing one of the vocational programs we offer. But the purpose of their visit was very different. They were both 14 years of age and had just finished elementary school. They brought their school reports with them and we were quite impressed. They were able to speak English well and had good grades, ranging from a plain C to a B+. Although that sounds average, so many of the people we see have much lower grades. A teacher came looking for a job today, for example, whose highest grade was a D, with an average of D-!


It turns out the girls were looking for someone to sponsor them so that they could go to secondary school. Both came from large families, one with six siblings and the other with eight. It was therefore impossible for their parents to send all of the children to school. Education is free in Kenya – theoretically. Primary education has been free for quite some time and secondary education was made free in 2008. However, free does not really mean free. The parents may no longer have to pay school fees, but they have to pay for books, for upkeep of the school, for school supplies, etc. One of our workers was even told he had to provide the school desks for both of his children. Surely that shouldn’t be too difficult for him, the headmaster reasoned, considering that he was a carpenter.


Our visitors were desperate. Both needed to find sponsorship if they wanted to avoid the arrange marriages their parents had sorted for them. Marriage, often to much older men and sometimes as the second or third wife, would at least bring the bride price to the family. This is the old Maasai custom so the girls had no say in their future. The only thing they could do to prevent it was to go to secondary school. Yet for that they needed money.


One girl’s father had come along to plead her case. I explained to him that we were unable to give them money. I tried to encourage him to do what he could for his daughter. She clearly was cleaver enough to go far, given the opportunity. I hoped I had persuaded the father that he should find a way to let his daughter continue her education. The drought had killed many of their animals and left them strapped for cash. They faced other hardships. Surely there was a way!


But I fear it is not to be. As they left I said I would like them to come back in three years time and share with me how things worked out. The father responded that he would let me know before then – he’d send me an invitation to their wedding. How can you help people like that? Sometimes you can help one. But what about the rest? What a tragedy!