About Shirika:

Shirika-Canada began in 2013 when a diverse group of women identified a need and mobilized to make a difference in the world. Shirika translates to ‘organization or agency’ in Swahili, but the contextual meaning implies that we work with others towards a shared common good or positive social impact. 

Our mission is to:

• Organize and participate in sustainable environmental and socioeconomic development projects in Canada and abroad; and,
• Help support marginalized, disadvantaged, vulnerable or socially excluded youth to enable a brighter future.

Our past experience:

Shirika-Canada most recently completed a project with a self-identified community group in the rural Kigwandi Community of Nyeri, Kenya, where technical expertise and funding was brought together to build biogas generators, co-located with a cow-breeding center. The exciting part is that the entire project was set up to be financially self-sustaining, with 90% female on-ground leadership.  

About the Samburu Girls Rescue Initiative at the Sisters of Mary Immaculate Empowerment Centre (SMIEC):

This kind experience has connected Shirika with the SMIEC. In Samburu culture, beading is used to prepare young girls for future marriage. Through this cultural practice, a young man, known as a Moran, is permitted to have a temporary marital relationship with a girl as young as 7 years old from the same clan. The Moran expresses interest in a girl of his choosing by negotiating with the girl's family and providing a red and black beaded necklace. From then on, the relationship, which may include sexual acts, commences. This deeply rooted cultural practice affects most Samburu girls leading to school dropout, forced child marriages, unsafe forced abortion, and infanticide.

Beading is a fundamental violation of human rights that bears devastating impacts to the mental, physical, sexual, and reproductive health of thousands of girls, especially in Samburu. To hear the girls’ unfiltered stories, watch videos at www.rescuesamburugirls.com

Fortunately, the girls in Samburu County have a window of opportunity; they can find shelter at the SMIEC. At the centre, girls who are traumatized can exhale, recover, and begin the healing journey towards becoming whole and productive members of society. Girls at the rescue center are able to access a network of Mary Immaculate Schools and healthcare services across the country to support their holistic growth intellectually, culturally, psychologically, spiritually, and physically. Rescued girls are provided with an environment that allows for self-discovery and empowerment. 

The impact of COVID-19:                                                                  

The SMIEC is overwhelmed by the growing need for their resources especially after the prolonged school closures during the pandemic. During this period, an unprecedented number of girls were beaded and others were forced into early marriages.

How you can help:

Any amount of money will go along way in supporting the education of the girls who have risked everything to escape the cultural practices. The average educational cost of sponsoring 1 girl through and SMIEC-related primary or secondary school is as follows:

• $500 covers half year tuition and boarding costs
• $1000 covers full year Tuition and boarding costs
• $1500 Covers Full year tuition, boarding and school supplies
• 2500 covers full year tuition, boarding, school supplies personal effects and basic health needs 

A tax receipt will be issued for any donation over $20.

With Shirika, you can provide a girl access to quality education and your contribution can act as a bridge to long-term solutions for the issues affecting women and girls in Samburu; education is a sure path to sustainable employment.