THE GIRLS RESCUE CENTER
Girl's Rescue Center
The Olooloitikoshi Girls Rescue Center (GRC) was started in 2008 by CMA in the Kajiado County, to rescue vulnerable girls from female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual abuse, and being forced into polygamous marriages to much older men. The Rescue Center provides a wonderful safe home environment for the girls, along with medical care, counselling, nutritious meals, spiritual care and an education that would otherwise have been denied to them. To these girls, the Rescue Center is much more than just ‘home’ – it is a fresh start and hope for a much better future.
What we Do
The Rescue Center provides a safe and nurturing residence for pre-teen and teenage girls who have suffered abuse, female genital mutilation or risk of being forced into polygamous marriages to much older men, often in exchange for cattle.Since 2008, over 160 girls have been rescued, and are benefiting from the education and care of the GRC. The cost to rescue and provide each girl with food, shelter, medical care, education, and spiritual discipleship is $3,000 a year. The GRC continues to care for these girls until they reach the age of 18.
Testimony Of Sanau
Sanau, a partial orphan at the risk of female circumcision and forced early marriage common among the Maasai, was brought to our attention by the County Children’s Officer for rescue. Sanau is the second born of four girls and while their dad was still alive, the family enjoyed relative peace as he provided their basic needs and protected them. After their father died, their paternal grandfather began pressuring their mother to have Sanau circumcised in readiness for marriage. To protect the girls, the mother relocated from her matrimonial home, starting her life over from scratch and earning a living by doing casual jobs. Sanau situation was brought to the GRC’s attention by a CMA social worker.
Sanau is now safe at the GRC and is receiving loving care, good nutrition, counseling, and an education.
