In January 2023, I accompanied New York Times writer Nick Kristof to a shelter to photograph girls aged 14 or under who have suffered severe sexual abuse. The walled safe house, run by a nonprofit called Kara Olmurani, is located on the outskirts of Nairobi and home to 24 young girls, whose stories are harrowing.
The Kara Olmurani Shelter in Nairobi, Kenya, is a safe house for some 30 young girls aged 14 years and below who have gone through sexual abuse and continue to be exposed to re-victimization over and over again. Kara Olmurani means "I am a warrior”.
Once at the shelter, highly-trained female counselors help the girls using different programs and tools that are child-centered and focused on a healing journey. The goal is to empower each little warrior, one soul at a time, with purpose, value, and dignity, in a safe and secure environment toward their reintegration into society.