“I can see the future now because I have been trained and raised [at the rescue centre],” says 15-year-old Miriam*.

Miriam speaks eloquently and passionately, effortlessly switching between English and several local dialects. Her laughter masks the deep trauma she endured, a trauma that has altered the course of her life forever. 

Growing up in a small rural village in Kenya, Miriam's family grappled with hunger and lacked the most basic necessities, such as clothes. Yet, amid their struggles, Miriam valued her education and did all she could to attend school. “Sometimes I wouldn’t go to school for a month or a week. I would stay at home with my parents as I didn’t have clothes [for school].”  

When she was 12, tragedy struck when her mother fell ill and had to be hospitalised. Left in the care of their uncle, who saw them as burdens, Miriam and her siblings endured his wrath and abusive outbursts. One day, when Miriam was alone in the house, he sexually assaulted her.  

Miriam confided in her parents. Devastated, her mother went to the village chief to seek justice, but her father was instead furious about her mother’s actions. The chief sided with her uncle, telling Miriam “you are pretending, nothing happened.” So Miriam and her mother turned to the authorities.  

Miriam's father cast them out of their home, leaving them destitute and ostracized by their relatives. With nowhere else to turn, they begged for shelter and food. Fortunately, a local government officer helped Miriam find refuge in a rescue centre.

The rescue centre is government-run and takes in children who cannot stay with their families. Through the Child Sponsorship Programme, World Vision provides psychosocial and trauma recovery support to the children there and educates them about their rights. 

“I feel good here (the rescue centre) because it feels safe.”

Today, Miriam still lives in the rescue centre, but returns home to visit her parents. Despite the ongoing legal battle against her uncle, Miriam has emerged from her ordeal as a strong advocate for girls' rights. She helps other girls stand up for their rights and dreams of establishing her own organisation dedicated to championing human rights.

Miriam’s biggest hope is to fight for the rights of girls.

By sponsoring girls like Miriam, you stand with them against the threats and challenges they face and educate them on their rights. Join the movement to sponsor 1,000 girls by 11 October, International Day of the Girl.

*Name changed to protect her identity