They say change is inevitable and that it all depends one’s willingness to change.
Well this is the story of one Lucy Meja who was once a traditional Birth Attendant.
However, his changed from Tradition Birth Attendant to Companion.
This is according to 2024 Annual Report by Sarambei-based Dandelion Africa NGO.
According to the recently released report, Lucy Meja’s Journey of Change is unique one.
For over 40 years, Lucy Meja worked as a traditional birth attendant, delivering babies at home and practicing Female
Genital Mutilation (FGM)—a deeply rooted tradition in her community.
The report by Dandelion Africa however, states that after training with Dandelion Africa, she gained a new perspective on the dangers of both home deliveries
and FGM.
“Understanding the risks, Lucy made a life-changing decision: she stopped performing FGM and began companying expectant women to seek skilled care at hospitals for safer deliveries,” states the report.
Today, the report indicates that Lucy is a passionate advocate against FGM in Narok,
actively educating her community about its devastating consequences, including childbirth complications, school
dropouts, and forced early marriages.
Further, her dedication has helped
protect many girls and promote safer childbirth practices.
According to Dandelion Africa NGO’s, she
now works closely with local leaders, health workers, and other community members to sensitize families, mentor young girls,
and support alternative rites of passage that uphold cultural identity without harm.
“Beyond advocacy, Lucy has joined forces with other women to form Nabosho, a women-led group that empowers its members through table banking, enabling them to save, borrow, and invest
in small businesses, improving financial security for their families.
With a loan, Lucy started a bead-making business, which now provides her with a steady income, further strengthening her independence and resilience.
PHOTO/COURTESY
Author: Pristone Mambili
A trained Journalist with passion for Radio and online Writing.