Page 2 of January-March 1999 Newsletter

The Men Speak Out
"Having been put into place by men as community decision makers, we the modern men, being heads of our families and therefore the community decision maker - a responsibility given us by God, have decided to take our roles seriously in bringing about the much desired change. We have and all should understand that as family and God given responsibilities.


"It is for this reason that we have strongly decided to co-operate with our women-folk to obey God´s command of circumcision for boy children only. We hope and expect that our women will have a good reason to smile as we have agreed to remove the burden of removing their most sensitive sexual organ, the clitoris, so that they have a chance to enjoy their conjugal right. We apologize on behalf of our forefathers for putting in place a brutal and unnecessary cultural practice."

Victims of past rituals
These courageous victims of past rituals are speaking out boldly warning others of the dangers involved in this horrific form of brutality! Team captains not pictured Joab Othatcher and wife Philemona, directors Teenage Mother and Girls Welfare Association of Kenya (TEMAK)




Kanakala Lakshmi

LIFE-STORY OF KANAKALA LAKSHMI
(Student at the Vocational College, Vizag India)
(Reported by Mrs. Usha James Chacko)
Kanakala hails from Visakhapatnam aged 21. She was brought up in a Hindu family. In 1984 her mother was seriously ill and through the prayer of some Christians in her village she was completely healed. As a result of this miracle the whole family turned to Jesus. In 1994 Kanakala after completing 10th class, was asked to get married. As a village girl, she was not given much choice except to marry the proposed boy. They have agreed to accept her for Rs. 70,000/- as dowry. Her father had no ready cash available. So, he ended up selling all his belongings except the small village hut. After the marriage the boy´s family demanded another Rs. 10,000/-. Kanakala was by now in a terrible situation. The boy and his family were torturing her mentally and physically.

Finally, one day her sister-in-law and mother-in-law together plotted to let the gas cylinder leak in the kitchen so that when Kanakala lights the stove she will be killed in the fire. As she entered the kitchen she realised the gas leaking and ran out. This was the second attempt to kill her. This happened on July 8, 1996. She was kicked out and told to come back only with the said amount. She returned home and stayed with her mum and dad. Her father with the help of the local village elders tried for a settlement of the issue. As is the practice, no one else will marry a girl once divorced; her father was desperate for a settlement. But, it was for no avail. The boy´s party demanded more money. Finally, her father sought the help of the Government to give a verdict. A case was filed for divorce on grounds of physical abuse and all the previous incidents were recorded in the divorce papers. But, today the boy and his party never report for any court hearings. The girl continues in her mental agony over the situation as her voice fluttered in her conversation with me.

Through her village pastor who received our circular about the Vocational College, she was brought to the school. Now, she feels that she will be able to find a way to stand on her feet and help her parents, as she is the only child.


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