Today, there are 6 Tasaru Girls in post-secondary education programs in Kenya

Today, four years after starting this effort with little more than the best wishes of many friends and family along with financial support from a handful of philanthropic & trusting women from my local community in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, there are now 7 young women from Tasaru who have completed or are pursuing college and university programs in Kenya with the assistance of our program. 3 others have found assistance through personal networks they established thru this project. In addition, over 20 girls from Tasaru have received other types of assistance including computer training, transportation and living assistance, medical assistance, and start-up money for small businesses from this project.

Young women confront unique and significant challenges when they leave Tasaru after high school. Most dream of going to college so that they can gain marketable job skills & training and succeed in achieving economic independence. This economic independence is one of the most significant factors in battling the economic forces in the Maasai community in Kenya that perpetuate female genital mutilation and child marriage. I am very very proud of the girls from Tasaru in college and university as they struggle with the bureaucratic hurdles of the education system in Kenya, lifestyle changes of living in large cities rather than their familiar rural home areas, and perhaps the continued resistance & resentment of their fathers. With the recent death of Kenya's Wangari Maathai, I am reminded of her motto, "Do the best that you can." That is exactly what these girls are doing!

Janet  - completed Kericho Teachers College in 2010, is teaching under government contract in Nkoilale Primary School in her home area near Maasai Mara, and continuing her education for a Diploma in Early Childhood Development at Limuru Teachers College during holidays.
Purity  - completed Dicece PreSchool Teachers Training School in 2011, is teaching in a preschool in her home area, and continuing her education for a Diploma in Early Childhood Development at Limuru Teachers College during holidays.
Susan  - completed her Accounts Certificate Training at Kenya Polytechnic College and is now moving into the CPA program.
Carolyne  - starting her second year  in  B.Sc. Biology degree program.
Florence  - has just enrolled at Asumbi Teachers College.
Nailois  - has just enrolled in the Information Technology program at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology/Nakuru CBD Campus.
Mary  - completed Mosoriot Teachers College in 2010 and is now teaching in a primary school in Kajiado.

To learn more about this project and to invest in a girl from the Tasaru Girls Rescue Centre in Narok, Kenya in her quest for post-secondary education, job training & an economic livelihood please contact me at mewalker99@yahoo.com.

On behalf of these girls, Asanteni Sana!