Millennium Villages Blog

Juliana enjoying her schoolwork

Everything in her future looked bleak. Juliana Rabilo Adele, a young girl born in a family of eight in the poor rural Kenyan village of Sauri, had struggled to join a secondary school. She finished her primary education with good results but had to wait two years for her father to raise the fees for the next step. Once he did, she had to walk 2.5 km to and from school every day. Then, like so many girls of her age in Sub-Saharan Africa, she became pregnant and had to drop out. Her life had stalled and her dreams were shattered.

Not for long. In January 2007, the Millennium Villages Project (MVP) education committee advertised for adolescent girls’ scholarships for secondary education in all Millennium Villages, including Sauri. This program was in line with the Kenyan Ministry of Education’s school re-entry policy for girls who conceived while in school. Young mothers would be given an opportunity to complete education without discrimination. Unfortunately, this policy is not implemented in most rural areas where pregnant teenagers are seen as a disgrace to the family and are pushed towards marriage to restore their lost dignity. The traditional image of women as wives and mothers is so strongly rooted that families often choose to educate boys only, for fear of wasting valuable resources on girls who might become pregnant in the course of their studies.

But Juliana had nothing to lose and applied for the scholarship, with her family’s support. She was shortlisted and was awarded the opportunity to return to school and demonstrate that a young mother can continue her studies, and even excel. Juliana became one of four girls identified and selected by the community through the education committee to benefit from the Nike funded girls’ scholarship for secondary education.

Juliana with her son Benedict

‘It is the best thing that has ever happened to me!’ assures Juliana, standing with her boy in her arms outside her parents’ home. ‘I am so happy to be back in school.’

Since then, Juliana, now 21, has been a shining example at Sinyolo girls boarding secondary school. In an attempt to make up for lost time, she has spared no effort in participating in all school activities. She is a Prefect (class representative in the Kenyan educational system), participates in drama, volleyball and other athletics and at the same time maintains her position in the top ten in her class. And the list goes on: she is a member of science and mathematics clubs which help her learn through conferences and discussions with other students. She also participated in the inter-school mathematics competition where she received a certificate of excellent performance.

‘She has leadership skills. For one to be a Prefect, she must be academically fit so as to command respect from other students,’ says her teacher Beth Oguta, who has very high hopes for her.

What Juliana learns in school, she takes home too. A lesson on planting cabbage became a holiday task in her shamba (small garden in Kiswahili) whose vegetables feed her family. She also taught her mother how to take care of the farm in her absence, and she cooks recipes for her family that she learns at school. That is, when the family has enough money to afford all the ingredients…

Behind her shy gaze and timid smile, Juliana is a comedian of sorts. She’s always the first to put on a show and entertain students, teachers and parents at school gatherings.

But Juliana wants more from life. For her, the secondary school path should lead to a bigger dream. ‘I plan to get a job. If I fail to do medical studies, I will do journalism,’ says the young girl. She is confident that she will perform well next year and gain admission in the public university where she hopes to get a study loan from the Higher Education Loans Board.

Juliana's family in front of their home

Her mother, Mary Achieng, is filled with joy that her daughter was able to go back to school. When asked whether she would allow her to get married, she is quick to point out that she has to finish her education, get a job, then get married. ‘Being a housewife is not easy,’ notes the mother of eight.

Most girls in Juliana’s circumstances are long married with three or four children. But Juliana’s family continues to support her by visiting her in school, providing her with modest pocket money and taking care of her son, Benedict. Not only do her siblings look up to her but her example has also spread in the community. A neighboring family sent their daughter back to school after she delivered her first child.

By sticking to their beliefs in girl empowerment and education, Juliana’s parents have restored the community’s respect for them. Villagers no longer regard early pregnancy as an end to education. Women often come up to Mary, at the water point or the market, and ask for her advice on securing scholarships for their daughters.

The MVP education sector holds regular meetings with sponsored students, guardians and education committees from all Millennium Villages to advise them on life skills and improved educational performance.

Juliana’s family has benefited from other MVP interventions like spring protection which saves on time used to fetch water, a task usually left to her. The family’s maize production has gone up from 1 bag to 5 bags on a 1.4 acre farm. Her father is a member of the Ramula Health Management committee. The family has been able to put up an iron sheet house - an indicator of improving living standards. Her mother is hopeful that someday Juliana will build an even better house for her.

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