From Tradition to Transformation: One Grandfather’s Stand Against Child Marriage

Christine*, a 10-year-old Grade 3 pupil in, Marsabit County narrowly escaped becoming a child bride.

Her grandfather, Guyo Wario, speaks candidly about their long-held cultural practice:

“I gave two of my daughters out for marriage while they were still children. Late 2024, suitors came seeking my granddaughter’s hand in marriage. As is our custom, we accepted the dowry and promised to give her out for marriage in 2025.”

At 10 years of age, Christine was destined for marriage to a 30-year-old man © World Vision Photo/David Nderitu

Once the dowry had been received, Christine was withdrawn from school to prepare for her marriage to a 30-year-old man despite being only 10 years old.

It was during this waiting period that the Big Dream to End Child Marriage program introduced Community Change Dialogues in North Horr. These structured interpersonal conversations encourage community members to examine the beliefs, norms, and traditional practices that sustain harmful behaviors such as child marriage.

Importantly, communities are empowered to design their own solutions for change.

Guyo joined the dialogues without much hesitation“When the calls were made for people to join the Community Change classes, I decided to go since I was not engaged in other activities.”Guyo says

But the sessions changed how he saw things. When the group identified community concerns, child marriage emerged as a critical issue.

I was deeply disturbed when I realized the harm I had caused my daughters,” he recalls. “There was nothing I could do about them at that point, but there was hope for my granddaughter.”

In a courageous and culturally significant decision, Guyo chose to return the dowry and cancel the planned marriage.

“I spoke to my family, and we decided to give back the dowry that had been paid for Christine and cancel the marriage plans,” he says.

His bold action drew surprise from the community; many of whom could not understand why he would forgo such a valuable offer. But Guyo stood firm.

In February 2025, Guyo re-enrolled Christine in school, where she belongs. Hers is among 745 cases of child marriage which were prevented through the efforts of the Big Dream to End Child Marriage program in 2025.

“My resolve to end child marriage is firm. No girl in my family will be married as a child again, and no man in my family will marry a child,” he affirms.

Today, Guyo is an active ambassador for change, demonstrating that with the right interventions, communities have the power to question harmful traditions and choose better futures for their children. His decision has sparked new hope that the Gabra community in Marsabit County can fully abandon child marriage.

Christine is now thriving in school and dreams of becoming a doctor. With her family’s renewed support, that dream is within reach.

*Name of girl changed to protect her identity

By David Nderitu, Communications Specialist, Big Dream to End Child Marriage, World Vision Kenya