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10 Community & Events
A NIGHT OF CULTURE MAASAI WARRIORS FILM
By Katarzyna Kotlarska
You cannot come to Nottingham and not visit Nottingham
Contemporary. We partnered with the gallery to organise
yet another film screening and a tour of the current
exhibition. This time we showcased [Warriors] (2015) – a
film about the Maasai Cricket Warriors. This documentary
follows Maasai Cricket Warriors on their journey to
England to compete in the 2013 Last Man Stands world
cricket championship. It also shows their passion and
commitment to ending FGM and other social issues
faced by their community. Film night was concluded by
the panel discussion with the Maasai Cricket Warriors’
Captain – Sonyanga Ole Ngais, Valentine Nkoyo and Dr
Edith Iheama of Mojatu Foundation, Kinsi Clarke from
Nottingham Refugee Forum, and Grace Brough – former
Chair of City and County FGM Steering Group.
For that reason, they set up a female Maasai Cricket Team,
with Malawua Ene Ng’ais as a Team Captain, who also
joined the Warriors on the UK tour. They discussed the
issues faced in Kenya, such as Female Genital Mutilation
(FGM), child marriage and lack of women’s rights, and
the work that Maasai Cricket Warriors do to tackle those
problems. Attendees could also find out how FGM affects
Nottingham and the UK in general, and what we can do to
eliminate it altogether. The Mojatu Foundation’s lobbying
has resulted in Nottingham City Council becoming the
first to declare itself as a city of zero tolerance to FGM,
which includes committing to work with grassroots
organisations, survivors and affected communities.
“FGM violates human rights and is child abuse. Full stop.
If we support every single survivor to say FGM ended with
them in their families, we can end FGM in a generation.” –
Valentine Nkoyo, Mojatu Foundation CEO.
Not just about Cricket
Although Maasai Cricket Warriors are most famous for
their sport endeavours, their work extends far beyond
the cricket field. Their aim is to end FGM, using their
love of cricket to unite and empower communities, and
penetrate the cultural problem that belies the issue. FGM
is at the core of other social problems in their community.
Girls who are mutilated are also married young, and
consequently denied an education. 10 years after starting
their mission, the Warriors have convinced Maasai elders
to stop mutilating girls and to send them to school.
However, it is not just about having their voices heard.
During the panel discussion, team captain, Sonyanga
Ole Ngais, explained that they seek to empower women
and give them a platform to speak about FGM and child
marriage.
What you can do to help
Maasai Cricket Warriors struggle with a lack of funding
to carry out their work. However, with your help they will
be able to do so much more. Valentine Nkoyo – the main
force behind the Massai Cricket Warriors’ visit has set up
a fundraising page, with all proceeds going to the Maasai
Cricket Warriors, young people both in UK and Kenya,
schools, refugees and asylum seekers, new and emerging
communities and the wider society.
You can read more and make your contribution on
justgiving.com/crowdfunding/valentine-nkoyo.