In Tanzania, many young girls are victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, cultural practices deeply rooted in the country. Those who refuse these rites are often rejected by their families and deprived of an education.

The “Breaking the Moorings” project, led by Sr Jacqueline Gbanga, has helped to protect, support and educate 10 young girls who have suffered serious violence.

The first step was to identify and rescue these high-risk girls.

Psychological support was then provided to help them overcome their trauma.

“These girls were psychologically affected by the torture they had suffered at the hands of their families, parents and guardians. Because of this situation, special psychosocial assistance was needed for them, but also to sensitize parents and guardians to the harmful effects of this female genital mutilation and child marriage.” Sr Jacqueline

The sisters were then able to enroll them in educational establishments to offer them a secure future. As a result, the studies of 5 girls have been financed at Messa Secondary School, 2 girls have been enrolled at Saint Catherine Labouré Primary, 2 girls with disabilities have been accepted at the vocational training center in Lindalva Justo, where they are currently taking sewing and secretarial courses, and 1 girl has been accepted at Sumve Secondary School.

The case of Imelda H. was brought to our attention

“She is a 16-year-old girl from Kurya and a fourth-grade student at Messa secondary school. She has been living in the ATFGM relief camp since December 2019, when she was rescued from female genital mutilation.  The girl's father forced her to undergo genital mutilation while she was still in elementary school. She thought she would die after being cut because her clan sister had died as a result of FGM.  
The girl refused because she had already been made aware of the harmful effects of FGM by our children's rights club, which has been set up in every school. One day, while Imelda was at school, the child's mother came with a rented motorcycle and the girl was taken to Kenya, where the mutilator was already waiting for her. Fortunately, some of the children saw her and alerted the teachers, who immediately informed the ATFGM. We immediately went to the police, who succeeded in arresting the child's father, and the girl was saved!
Since that year, the girl has been totally rejected and abandoned by her parents, and currently lives in the ATFG children's home. Although she thought she'd never study again, she does well in class and is always among the best. She hopes to become a lawyer so that she can defend other girls whose rights are being violated.” Sr Jacqueline

The project received €5,000 in funding, which was used for school fees and supplies.

At the same time, the sisters continue to mobilize in the field to raise awareness among parents and tribal community members of the dangers of FGM and early marriage.

“Dear donors, on behalf of all our staff who are so relieved by this great news and our girls who are still in school thanks to you, I express my gratitude for your kind gesture and sacrifice to enable these girls to continue their education:
Education is the key to life and opens up a bright future for them. We must raise our voices to defend these young girls. You have given them a big step forward in their lives and helped add a stone to the edifice of their lives!”  Sr Jacqueline