Voices of Hope

Kenya Visit

May 8, 2007

Jeremy Mwenda, from the MCK conference office drove Lemayian, Glenn Cross and Cheryl Broetje to Thika the morning of May 8, where 10 of the 14 girls currently enrolled in Voices of Hope met us. Most of the girls we met are attending school in Thika.

Lemayian first took us to visit the beauty school where 3 of the girls attend at Uzuri Institute. They are expected to graduate in October. We were able to meet several of their instructors, who explained the various courses, and told us the girls are doing well. Catherine is one of their best students. We were given a tour of the facilities, including the hair salon, and massage and skin care room.

Lemayian told us that Maasai girls don’t forget their parents when they are educated; boys often do. He believes that education of girls is the very best investment. Jeremy told us about a time recently when he gave a ride to some Maasai men. They did not want the one woman in their group to ride with them in the car, but he insisted. They didn’t treat her well during the ride, so on the return trip, Jeremy took only the woman!

Apparently, local interest in Voices of Hope is continuing to rise. Lemayian told us that people were coming to his home every single day to enquire about VOH. So, he decided to set aside all day Mondays to host people in his home. It is very apparent that Lemayian is the acting local program director of VOH. He keeps in constant communication with the girls, goes to visit them regularly, and sees to their needs as best he can. He says he is spending about 10,000ks (approximately $145 U.S) per month on phone, transport, shelter, etc. We wonder if setting up a petty cash account for him might be helpful.

He told us that he thinks it would be important for Rachael to come over and do a local fundraising tour with local corporations, to get more Kenyans involved in supporting the program.

He reminded us of several pending needs:

• The food will be finished in September
• The safe house contract expires in September
• Funds will be needed for the December break
• Tuition fees are owing for several girls (we authorized funds for Nasieku from MCK acct.)

We took the girls to lunch at the Thika River Falls, and then took some groups shots in front of the falls. Then we made a quick stop at the boarding home where several girls stay. Lots of girls per room, but the place seemed homey and safe.

During our sit down meeting with the girls, Glenn asked them to tell us where they see themselves in 5 years. It took a little priming of their voices, but they eventually rose to the occasion, and expressed very clearly their dreams, hopes and visions…

• Susan: wants to open an institution to educate girls in Kajiado
• Betty: wants to work in the tourism industry
• Deana: wants to work in the biggest hotel in Kenya
• Jennifer: wants to work in a beauty and therapy institution
• Lorna: wants to be a role model for others
• Catherine: wants to open a bakery in Kajiado
• Marium: wants to teach girls to not rely on men! And to never give up.
• Jennifer: wants to open an institution to help the handicapped in Kajiado
• Magdalena: professional hair and therapy in Kajiado

Later, the girls performed some poems, songs and dances for us. They told us two things that have particularly stuck with me:

• We used to spend our time looking for our fathers’ cattle. Now, our minds have been opened.
• At first, when they were little, their parents happily took them to schools. But later, they tried to force them to get married. But they have learned that…”when Jesus says yes, nobody can say no.”