Chemolingot Day and Boarding Primary School head Ms Florence Lomariwo is one teacher that should be emulated by all for her role in safeguarding the rights of girl child in Baringo county.
Born and raised in the area that for many years has witnessed retrogressive cultures such as Female Genital Mutilation as well as early Marriages, Ms Lomariwo took the bull by horns try and save the Girl child in the area from these harmful vices.
She says being brought up from the area she understands most of the issues girls go through in the society.
It is through her though that Chemolingot Primary School in Baringo County became not just an ordinary school.
The school which is located in Nginyang’ Division acts as a rescue centre to young girls who have been rescued from retrogressive cultures such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages.
Ms Florence Lomariwo says the primary school has become home to over 200 Pokot girls who ran away from their homes to avoid circumcision and early marriages.
“The girls in this area have been going through a lot and that is why I decided enough is enough. I converted a section of the school to a rescue centre” she said.
The move has however not been that of roses as she admits that on many occasion she has received threats from even government officials after raising several issues that the girl child is undergoing in the area.
She however states such threats cannot deter her mission to save the girl child from such retrogressive cultures.
“I have even received threats for advocating for the rights of the girl child. But this is a mission I started and will not give up” she said.
Ms Lomariwo noted that the school’s population has increased to over 700 pupils with the majority being girls, hence the need for support to ensure that the pupils have a good learning environment.
The school has 13 dedicated teachers.
“The school has been absorbing girls who have run away from the retrogressive cultures such as FGM and early marriages since 2003,” said the head teacher.
Her appeal is to well-wishers to emulate Gilanis Foundation and the Rotary Club of Nakuru who have joined hands in supporting the school so that the dreams of the girls can be achieved.