PROGRAM FOCUS

Rescue Center: In 2002, Hellen started rescuing girls from FGM. While FGM is officially outlawed by the Kenyan government, many continue the practice as part of their culture and a rite of passage for girls. As a former government teacher, Hellen knew the best way to protect girls was to enroll them in school where they are cared for, educated, and under the protection of the Kenyan government. According to Helen, there are always more girls than available spots for them at the school.

Enkiteng Lepa School: Maji Moto’s Enkiteng Lepa School was founded by Hellen in 2008 and is now a four-classroom school with administrative buildings, a dormitory and housing for teachers. This educational complex enables Maji Moto community members – both children and adults, though mainly young girls – to receive basic education. Evening courses are also provided to allow children who must care for livestock during the day, and adults who wish to further their education, to access education.

Continuing Education: After graduation from the Enkiteng Lepa School, Hellen and the team assist girls in applying for and securing scholarships to go on to attend high school, a life-altering opportunity.

Widows’ Village: In the Maasai culture, young women are often married off to older men, increasing the likelihood of being widowed. In this culture women do not have a right to own (or inherit) any property, and teenage widows with children are often left behind when a husband dies, leaving them with no home or means to survive. They are typically uneducated and unable to find work, leading to further poverty for themselves and their families. In 2007 Enkiteng Lepa established a Widows’ Village where women can peacefully live, support one another and find ways to work. They currently earn income by caring for livestock, performing traditional singing and dancing for tourists, crafting and selling beadwork, and running a solar cell phone charging business.