Whisked from an Exam Room by Dad to be Married

In 1998, Sadia Wario, now aged 25 did her Kenya Certificate of Primary School and got a total of 358 points out of 700. Sadia comes from Marsabit district Eastern Province, a semi arid area

Sadia was admitted at Siakago Girls, a Provincial school in Eastern Province. This is where her miseries started.

Her parents refused to take her to this great school which has produced some of great leaders in Kenya. Reason: ‘If my daughter crosses Isiolo border, she will become a prostitute. I am not ready to take her to that school’ Father Sadia

With her great points, her parents took her to a local school that didn’t have any infrastructure the rural area. No laboratory, No dormitory. Classrooms were used as dormitories at Night.

After four years (2002) of studying in a hardship environment, Sadia managed to secure a D+ grade in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. This is too far below her full potential.

Out of a family of 8, (3 girls & 5 boys) Sadia is the 3rd Born. Only two have accessed secondary school i.e. Sadia and her younger brother. Two boys have so far not proceeded to secondary school. Two girls decided to get married after completing class 8.

‘After completing form four, I worked in a construction firm and managed to save Ksh 12,000. I went to my father and told him, I had secured a college to train as a Pharmacist. He took the cash I had and promised to assist. After three months in college in Nairobi, my dad told me that he was no longer capable of supporting me. He came to the classroom when it was on and whisked me away while I was doing my exams. I was put into a vehicle to Marsabit, a 48 hour drive from Nairobi. However it took me 7 days to get to marsabit as the car broke down. All these time, I didn’t have any money with me. I had to rely on good will of other passengers’ Ms Sadia

Back in Marsabit 2003, the parents of Sadia were not friendly which forced her to move to a neighbour for 6 months to seek refugee. I remember with nostalgia, when my father said to me. ‘I have educated you so far, I don’t want to see you in my home. Go and get married. I need Cows Now’ Father Sadia.

Following the above incident, Ms Sadia went to Moyale (a 48 hours drive) to stay with her Aunty for two years. While there, Sadia attend a workshop on HIV/AIDS. The little allowance she got from the workshop enabled her to travel to Nairobi where she undertook a basic computer course.

Ms Sadia heard about TYSA work and she was quite impressed with the TYSA girls’ project which is supporting girls to realise their dreams. She travelled to Nairobi, the project has been helping her to stay safe from danger of early marriage. She is staying with her Cousin together with her other two girls whom they run away with from Marsabit. Sadia and her friends depend on your donations for meals, rent and transport.

‘My wish is to go back to college and continued with my studies. I want one day to go back to Marsabit and support thousands of girls whose future has been curtailed by early marriages’ Ms Sadia

With your donations, Ms Sadia will be able to realize her dream. Make your donation today!

Pictures:

• Mss Sadia saved from early marriage (JPG)

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