CONTINUING SUCCESS

Much is said about empowering girls in severely impoverished populations around the world. Most people agree that economic independence will lead to sustainable and measurable empowerment for Maasai young women. But their economic independence can only be achieved if they have job skills that prepare them for long term employment. While there is a heavy bias on the rewards of a high school education, this alone does not provide the skills needed for real and lasting empowerment.

In July 2013, Florence Taki completed her training at Asumbi Teachers Training College. She is now teaching at Nkoilale Primary School, just outside Maasai Mara, and incidentally where both she and Janet Pere attended school as young girls. This brings to 5 the number of Maasai girls that this effort has been able to assist thru college who are now working and meeting their own economic needs. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this type of assistance is successful in confronting the economic factors that continue to persist within Maasai families and communities and that perpetuate practices such as FGM and child marriage. To everyone who has been a part of this effort, thank you for continuing to recognize the importance of post-secondary education in the lives of rescued Maasai girls.


Girls from Tasaru in 2008.
Florence is in the yellow blouse.