Mia Collis

Box Girls

  • Sonko looks out through the window of her 1 bedroom home that she shares with her 2 sisters.The stereotypical ‘role’ expected of a girl or woman in Kenya is to cook, clean and bear children. When Sonko first asked her parents if she could box, they refused angrily, and sent her to a hairdressing college instead. Sonko, secretly went to train at Boxgirls.
  • Warm up exercises in the Kariobangi community centre. Boxgirls will train together with professional male boxers from Kariobangi Slum.
  • At 13, Tabitha Njeri will lead the ‘Life Skills’ classes after training has finished. Amongst many things, ‘Life Skills’ involve confidence building, sexual health education and gender role debates. Priest, her boxing teacher, mentor and trainer spas in the background.
  • Preparations to spar at the Kariobangi Community Centre where Boxgirls train.
  • Sonko, rigorously trains everyday. Boxing has made her a confident and self assured role model to the younger community.
  • Through the windows of the Kariobangi Community Hall where Boxgirls train. The son of Boxgirls Elizabeth Andiego, (Kenyas Olympian) wraps his wrists. If boys show an interest they are allowed to training sessions too.
  • Alfred Analo ‘Priest’- a women rights activist and boxing coach - is the founder of Boxgirls organization Kenya established in 2007. The organization started due to rapid rape cases registered in eastlands, especially in the slums.
  • 13 year old Mitchell Achieng has been a member of Boxgirls for 5 years.
  • Sonko and Tabitha at the Kariobangi Community Hall.
  • Boxgirls warm up in a field outside the community centre in Kariobangi slum.
  • Priest gives a ‘Life Skills’ class after a training session in the community centre in Kariobangi. The silent story of torture and rape the women undergo, particularly in the slum areas, is a heavy matter he has heartedly sought to tackle.
  • Exercises and discussions relating to ‘gender roles’ are an important part of the Boxgirls curriculum.
  • Sarah Achieng Ndisi re wraps her wrists during sparring at Kariobangi Community Centre. Sarah is a Boxgirls graduate and coach. She is currently the best professional female boxer in East Africa under the feather weight category.
  • Fitting the gloves before sparring.
  • Sarah spars with her teacher Priest (the founder of Boxgirls).
  • Jane Atieno ‘Sonko’ pictured right foreground, was as a shy and introverted 17 year old when she was spotted by Alfred Analo ‘Priest’, Boxgirls founder. Priest said he could see a champion in her and invited her to join Boxgirls. Now at 23, Sonko plays a leadership role at boxgirls. She lives in Nairobi’s Eastlands slum area and trains and mentors the younger girls every day. Starting off with just 20 girls in 2008, the Boxgirls programme now has 650 girls enrolled.
  • Sonko and her younger sister Diana make the 7 mile daily journey home after training. They walk through some of the most dangerous and desolate parts of the Eastlands slum area.
  • A portrait of Sonko in her bedroom as her fashion accessories hang off the burglar bars. Sonko shares 1 bed with her two younger sisters in Nairobi’s Eastlands slum area.
  • A defensive position during a training session.
  • Tabitha Njeri and Jane Atieno ‘Sonko’ chat after a training session. Many of the younger girls look up to Sonko as their role model. Her confidence and success in the ring make her one of the most popular leaders and mentors at box girls.
  • Boxgirls have a match at the Pal Pal Boxing Ring, Majengo slum in Nairobi.
  • Sarah fights another professional boxer. Both are Boxgirl graduates. Sarah is currently the best professional female boxer in East Africa under the feather weight category.
  • Sonko after a boxing match with Kenya’s Olympian, Elizabeth Andiego at the Pal Pal Boxing Ring, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • On the notice board of the Boxgirls office, Mitchell has written her dream.
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