A Teacher, A Nanny, A Lifesaver: Christine's Journey of Reclaiming Girls' Futures

Ms. Christine Lenanyokie, a female teacher intern under the mentorship program. © Northern Rangelands Trust.

In the heart of Ngilai Community Conservancy, Wamba, Samburu County, at Ngogoltim Primary School, one woman has turned her classroom into a sanctuary of second chances. Christine Lenanyokie, a passionate educator and female mentor, is one of 23 female intern teachers placed in conservancy schools through the Female Teacher Mentorship Program, implemented by the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) through funding support from Conservation International and AKO Foundation.

For Christine, teaching goes far beyond the classroom walls — it's about rewriting destinies. The situation was dire when she first arrived at the school in 2021. Teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) have created a devastating wave of girls' school dropouts. Some girls were under pressure to abort, others were hidden away in preparation for marriage. Christine couldn't watch in silence. She became their voice, their shield, and, in some cases, their lifeline. One story that stands out is that of a pregnant class seven girl. Abandoned by her family, overwhelmed by stigma, and on the brink of giving up, she found hope in Christine.

Through counselling and support, the girl was able to deliver her child safely — but the real miracle was what happened next. With the help of fellow female teachers in the school, Christine took on the role of a nanny during ‘lesson-free’ breaks, helping care for the baby so that the young mother could return to class and continue breastfeeding during break time. She didn't just teach her — she walked with her, hand in hand, through one of life's most vulnerable moments. The girl successfully completed class eight but unfortunately due to lack of school fees, she was unable to join secondary school.

Ms. Christine Lenanyokie addressing girls at Ngogoltim Primary School, Ngilai Community Conservancy, Samburu County. © Northern Rangelands Trust.

Christine's mentorship has helped rescue 14 girls from early marriages, FGM, and dropout. These are girls who, without the intervention of this program, would have been lost to a cycle of poverty and silence. They are back in class today — hopeful, focused, and dreaming again.

"These girls don't just need books. They need women who understand them, stand with them, and show them that they matter," says Christine.

When she started the mentorship program, 148 girls were under her guidance. With successful transitions, she’s currently mentoring 180 girls. Dropout rates are falling, classroom performance is rising, and girls are now standing tall as top performers — challenging the norms that once silenced them.

"When we began this program, the situation was dire. Our initial research across five counties uncovered a harsh reality: high dropout rates, rampant early marriages, and communities where girls' education was not prioritized. We decided to act," says Moses Lenaipa, NRT's Education Lead.

That's how the girls' mentorship program was born—built around a clear goal: to increase girls' enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and support their transition through various education levels. We strategically placed 23 intern female teachers in schools where girls were at the highest risk. Ngogoltim Primary, where Christine studied 14 years ago, was one of them. Before the program, the school would loose approximately six to seven girls every year. Between 2024 to date, the school had zero dropouts, a powerful indicator that mentorship works. These female interns are not just teachers but role models, confidants, and cultural navigators. Their presence has boosted attendance, improved performance, and, most importantly, rekindled hope among girls who once believed education wasn't meant for them.

And the ripple effects? Enormous. Communities are now demanding we expand the program.

"Our challenge is scale—we're reaching 23 out of 650 schools in the NRT landscape. But we're working with conservancies to locally fund and adopt this homegrown solution," adds Moses.

Ms. Julieta Naipainoi, NRT Centre Women Caucus Chairperson. © Northern Rangelands Trust

Julietta Naipainoi, NRT Centre women caucus chairperson, says, "As women leaders, we've watched girls in pastoralist communities struggle—trapped by early marriages, FGM, and poverty. Many never step into a classroom. But today, we're seeing change. The mentorship program, especially the work of intern teachers, has brought a cultural shift".

The women caucus work closely with these female teachers, especially in challenging moments. When a girl gives birth, they don't let her drop out. They guide her back. These women speak in community forums against FGM and early marriages, and they champion education. This joint effort—teachers, women leaders, and mentors—is changing minds.

"I've been in this community long enough to witness the pain girls have endured. Three years ago, cases of FGM and early marriage were rampant. Today, we've seen a drop—a big reason is this mentorship program and government's intervention," says Solomon Lenaipa, Acting Chief of Ngilai West Location.

The female intern teachers there don't just teach. They watch. They listen. They alert local authorities when something's wrong. If a girl is being targeted for FGM or early marriage, they let the administrators know, and they jointly act. What's different now is that people are starting to see girls not as future brides but as future professionals. Parents are beginning to value education, and girls like Christine lead by example.

"We must educate parents too—because ending harmful practices starts at home," says Mr. Lenaipa.

Mr. Solomon Lenaipa, Acting Chief of Ngilai West Location. © Northern Rangelands Trust.

Christine's journey is one we've seen replicated: a girl once at risk is now rising. She attends school regularly. She's performing well. And she's telling other girls to stay in school. That's powerful. The demand is there. The potential is massive.

Looking ahead, we know mentorship can transform futures—not just for girls but also for boys who face similar pressures. Through this program, NRT hopes to build an inclusive, gender-sensitive education model that ensures no child is left behind.

Christine's story proves that with the right support, even the most marginalized girl can dream again—and achieve.

Story by Vivian Jebet