Maji Moto Enkiteng Lepa School • Kenya
Born into a traditional Masaai family, Hellen Nkuriaya was married off in exchange for cows multiple times by her father, starting at the age of nine. Hellen bravely stood up to family and community pressures in order to escape from these marriages and attend school. Her hard work and commitment were eventually rewarded with a scholarship to go on to higher education.
Now, Hellen is a fierce advocate for local women and girls, fighting for their right to be free from child marriage, free from female genital mutilation (FGM), and free to access education. FGM is a life-threatening procedure, widely considered to be a human rights violation, that has been banned in Kenya since 2011; however, it is still widely practiced in rural, tribal communities like Maji Moto. Despite advocating for the elimination of these harmful practices, Hellen also works to preserve traditional Masaai culture and is an outstanding, respected leader in her community.
“I have promised myself not to stop fighting for girls until my community stops exchanging girls for cows.”
• Hellen Nkuraiya, Founder of Maji Moto Enkiteng Lepa School •
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.
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP
GoPhilanthropic Foundation and Maji Moto first partnered in 2011.
- For many years, members of the GoPhil community have been proudly sponsoring a number of at-risk girls, providing them with tuition, school materials and other basic needs support to help ensure their success at the Maji Moto Enkiteng Lepa School.
- Scholarships have also been provided to many students who graduated from the Maji Moto Enkiteng Lepa School and went on to pursue higher education.
- Contributions were made for a school bus to safely transport students to and from school, minimizing health and safety risks including large animal migration.
- Funds were provided for a new washroom at the school, including showers, a large water tank, and a solar lighting system.
- During the COVID-19 crisis, emergency funds were provided to ensure girls’ safety and access to basic needs such as food, water, hygiene supplies, and medicines.


WHAT MAKES MAJI MOTO UNIQUE?
Maji Moto Enkiteng Lepa prevents girls as young as six from a childhood that includes early marriage and FGM – practices that Hellen believes reflect deep-rooted gender inequalities. Over the years, the Maji Moto Enkiteng Lepa School has become one of the most reputable schools in the region, preparing students to be the community’s next generation of leaders and changemakers!
Maji Moto Enkiteng Lepa is unique in how it delicately balances maintaining and celebrating the Masaai culture while simantounsely advocating to counteract cultural practices that are harmful to women and girls. Speaking out against gender violence and discrimination can be extremely difficiult in more conservative cultures, but Hellen and the Maji Moto Enkiteng Lepa team continue to make incredible strides in the fight for gender equality.

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