A case study analysis requires that you investigate a business problem, examine the possible and/or alternative solutions, and propose the most effective
solution using supporting evidence.
Read and examine the case carefully.
Focus on the issues/problems.
Brainstorm possible solutions or changes that need to be made.
Select the best solution with reasoning.
UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Examine the leader’s role in a vision and mission (CLO 3 and CLO 4).
Explain the connection between a leader and the organizational climate (CLO 4).
Kakenya Ntaiya, from Massai, Kenya, was a young woman with a passion for education and a vision for the future. At the age of 5, she was betrothed to be
married upon reaching puberty. She was forced to participate in what was known as “the ceremony,” which in the Western world is known as female genital
mutilation. Her childhood consisted of her training to be a mother and wife, focusing on domestic tasks daily. She was permitted to attend school, but only
after her household chores were completed. Her mother encouraged her to complete school, and she very rarely saw her father, who only returned home once a
year to sell the livestock and the products his wife raised, using the money to drink with his friends.Kakenya had wanted to become a teacher, however, she
knew once “the ceremony” was completed, she would be forced to remain in the village and would not be able to pursue her dreams. She convinced her father that
she would only go through with “the ceremony” if her marriage was permitted to be postponed so that she could return to school. She healed from the ceremony
and returned to school in three weeks and received a scholarship to attend college in the United States.Ntaiya used power of persuasion to convince the
village elder and 15 additional men in her village to attend college. They pulled their resources together so she could receive plane fare to attend college.
Once in college, she learned that she participated in female genital mutilation, which was against the law in Kenya. She also learned that women did not have
to be abused because they were women, and that women had the right to own property. She then earned a degree in International Relations and Political Science
and would earn her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. This would lead her to come back and help her village and create a school for the
girls in the village.In order to attend school in her village, there were two conditions that were placed on admittance. First, the parents had to agree that
no girls would go through female genital mutilation. Additionally, the girls would not marry until they at least finished high school. She had hoped to enroll
10 girls but had 100 girls interested in attending. She initially enrolled 30 to start her school. There were still challenges in gaining acceptance for a
school in her village, but Kakenya continued to meet with the elders and help to alleviate their concerns.Kakenya eventually would find Kakenya’s Dream, an
organization that helps to end “harmful traditional practices” and work with the community, while providing mentoring, scholarships, tutoring, and career
advice, and delivers life schools education to both boys and girls through weekend and week-long camps.