Naitibik and I are racing 10 kilometers in support of girls' education. Any money we raise goes directly to Daraja Academy in Kenya and Naitibik's education. Thank you for your help! Or, as they say in Kenya, ASANTE SANA!
Naitibik is a 16-year-old girl from Samburu County and will graduate from Daraja with the Class of 2027. She describes herself as talkative, friendly, and beautiful. Naitibik grew up living with her parents in a manyatta, a traditional Maasai house. She was often required to look after goats, which caused her to miss school.
When she was 12 years old, her parents separated, and she and her two younger sisters were left with their stepmother. Her father decided that the financial strain of having Naitibik at home was not worth it, and she was forced to go through Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) before being married off to an older man in the community. She bravely ran away and has since been staying at a children's home together with one of her younger sisters.
Naitibik has undergone incredible trials but is a pillar of strength and resilience. Her role model is Jackline, a Daraja alumna, Class of 2023. Naitibik aspires to be a lawyer, focusing on the human rights angle, to better protect girls like her.