School have closed for December Holidays

It is the end of year and end third term, the schools have closed for the long December holidays. We thank God for the care and protection as all our children arrived home safely. However, this month is also a month of a lot of celebrations and activities in the Maasai Community, one of them being “Circumcision Season”. Maasai Action For Change members and the Steering Committee are on the look for those in community who will go against the Law to circumcise the girls. We are also expecting more girls to run away from their homes for rescue from female genital cut/mutilation, and early marriages. Some children will also not be welcomed at home as their parents view their quest for education as disrespectful and a let down.

Boys also do not attend school!

Boys too do not attend school as they are made to shepherd their families livestock. In Maasai community the men are allowed to marry more than one wife, in this case therefore, the children of the favorite wives are given the first chance to attend school. This is the reason why young boys like him have to come to MAC for rescue and get a chance to go to school. The boy child is becoming more and more vulnerable.

Mother seeks assistance for her daughter to continue with education

This girl is in her last years in primary school, however she spent days out of school due shortage of resources to keep her in school. We are worried that if we do not get any help this girl will end up in being married off….

Resources for these children to stay in school has been a great challenge, we are hope full that everything will be alright and God to open doors.

It was not easy this semester as most children were sent away from school.

Girl comes to seek assistance

School visit

Naado being visited at the school by MAC’s Vice President, her mother was delighted.

Naado visited at School

When Naado was visited, her friends came to join her, always curious to know what they receive from relatives and friends.

Naado with her Father and Mother at the School

Naado’s Father and Mother are happy, now that their daughter can be in school and learn without being sent home for school fees and upkeep.

Naado with her Mother and the Vice President of MAC

Isen visited Naado at the school where her mother was also given to work as cook in order to provide for her children and her ailing husband

Naado and her Mother

Naado Pesi is a young girl from Ilbaan Village in the Mara. She came to MAC offices four years ago seeking assistance to enable her get to school, she walked for almost 20 miles that day with the assistance of her Aunt.  We could not assist her due to many demands and  many children that come to our office, all seeking help to join school. However, we put her in our watch as her ailing father wanted her circumcised in preparation for marriage. Thankfully, her mother stood by her and talked to the teachers to let her stay in school.  She was given a job as a cook for the children in order to make sure Naado and her sister and two brothers stay in school. I am delighted that she is now able to stay and study in school as she got a “A good Samaritan”, who will now pay her school fees and upkeep!

The President of MAC

I am Hellen Soile, the President Maasai Action For Change. I thank God for the care He has provided for all the children during the holidays. I also thank all the well wishers who have supported the school children and the children with special needs, and last but not the least, i  thank the parents and guardians for giving shelter and providing for these great children during the holidays.  Schools are opening this first week of September, and as always “Trusting God to make a way where seems no way!”

Our Wildlife

Wildlife and Livestock is the backbone of the Mara Maasai. We are to educate the Maasai Community to guard and protect it, at the same time get good benefits from them.

 

 

Finally she arrives at the School

She says no to early marriage!

Early marriages are still arranged in the Maasai community, making it difficult for girls as young as this courageous  to attend school. She was forced to marry  a boys of 16 years. However, she went against the tradition to seek refuge at Maa Trust in Maasai Mara. She is the first girl to take such a great step from her village. MAC and Maa Trust joined hands to put her to school. All she wanted was to go to school and be protected from  forced marriage. There are hundreds of girls like her who undergo Female Genital Cut (FGC) and who fear to do what she did. Thanks Maa Trust for your cooperation.

This young girl arrived at the Maa Trust Offices, tired, hungry and exhausted, she was so courageous and did not fear  wildlife in the area however, there was no alternative route to the Maa Trust Offices, except through the  wildlife conservation area.

 

 

 

Feeling protected and safe, with Maa Trust members and the school Head Teacher at Sekenani Primary School.

School visits

School visits

MAC Volunteer is in charge of visiting all the children and to make sure they are progressing at school and if they need any supplies. Enaitoti – not her real name, has changed a lot since she joined school, however, she is does not attend school all days and thats the reason why girls like her need to stay in school for easy followup.

Home visits

MAC visiting this little boy to access his progress. In most occasions, school is not a priority as parents and gardians do not see a future for these children. MAC creates awareness in the community, stressing that they are, as important as those children who function normally and that they should be taken care off and they have a right to go to school, access medical care and better housing. Our challenge is we do not have a school for Children with Special needs, however we have plans in the future to build a center which will accommodate them.

Home Visits

During monthly visits, Sintamei  has to take a snack for all the children.

Home visits

This young boy still need help. Her mother is a widow who has to feed him, bath, toilet and makes sure he is safe at all times, this makes it difficult for her to go work and bring food home. This is the reason why MAC is planning to build a center for children and young adults with special needs, where they can stay for few days in order to give their parents and gurdians time to work and support their families.

Home visits

MAC volunteer visits one of the children with special needs at her Grandmother’s home. 

Home visits

MAC young volunteer who finished her high school last year, has a golden heart, she is very kind to these children and their parents. She uses a motorbike and sometimes has to walk  long distances to make sure the children are visited.