Where it all began

2005 at Helme Chase Maternity Unit in Kendal, Cumbria UK

Elderly Pokot Woman

This woman is a traditional birth attendant at one of our sensitisation/awareness events.

TBA's in training seminar

A reformed cutter

This woman announced during workshops that she is a cutter but will now abandon the practice due to what she has learnt.

More reformed cutters

These TBAs/cutters vowed to abandon cutting/FGM. They are pictured being blessed by the pastor during the final ceremony following their 3 day residential anti FGM training

A public abandonment ceremony

Reformed cutters during an abandonment ceremony where they symbolically lay down their knive

The Team on outreach

Preparing for a journey to bring the anti FGM campaign to another new remote village in the mountains.

Loading up for the journey

We hired motorbikes for some of the journey but then we would trek as there are no roads in the mountains.

The villagers

The villagers met us to carry much of the very heavy stuff, sacks of rice, maize etc.

Yours truly enjoying the hike

Up in the clouds!

Teaching session

Demonstrating with our anatomical model to show exactly what happens during FGM

Everlyne Cheyech, Manager and CEO of CICR

Our sister organisation on the ground in Pokot CICR (Centre for Indigenous Child Rights) is managed by Everlyn. Everlyn was demonstrating with dolls and pelvis, problems caused by child/forced marraige and early child bearing. This follows FGM.

Demonstrating childbirth without FGM

Engaging men

Elders, men and youth of the community during 3 day residential forum.

Demonstrating problems caused by underage childbearing.

Men well engaged

Close up photo of the level of interest and concentration.

Mr Kabeti, our teacher.

Demonstation with our anatomical model in the mens forum to exactly what happens during FGM.

Aud

Workshop engaging with youth/younger men.

Engaging with youth/younger men.

Ceremony

Young men at the final celebration of the anti FGM forum.

The girls

The start of a 7 day residential "camp" for young girls to learn the law, their human rights and the ill effects of FGM and child marriage. This leads to their Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) ceremony.

Art Class

Girls having fun in between seminars.

A girls depiction of FGM