Support the Child Rescue Center in Kenya
If you’re like me, it’s been a long time since your childhood. But even though many decades have passed since those seemingly carefree days, I still remember the people who were instrumental in making it such a special time. Obviously, there were close friends and favorite teachers, but I think everyone also had that first very special relationship . . . a boy or girl who was more than just a “friend.” Giving them a Valentine card for them or sitting next to them at lunch time made life seem all the more joyous.
Dear Mr. Doe,
If you’re like me, it’s been a long time since your childhood. But even though many decades have passed since those seemingly carefree days, I still remember the people who were instrumental in making it such a special time. Obviously, there were close friends and favorite teachers, but I think everyone also had that first very special relationship . . . a boy or girl who was more than just a “friend.” Giving them a Valentine card for them or sitting next to them at lunch time made life seem all the more joyous.
But imagine a young girl — today — who is not allowed to have such things be a part of her childhood. As a matter of fact, at a very early age, she will be forced into marriage — marrying a man much older than she is. And within a year or so afterwards, she will be forced to begin having children of her own! Without a doubt, it is a tragedy to imagine such a thing happening! But it IS happening.
Recently, I received a letter from Sr. Caroline Kimani, a missionary who is living and working among the Maasai tribespeople in the Ngong hills region of southern Kenya, East Africa. Sr. Caroline directs the area’s Child Rescue Center — a program established (at the request of the local Maasai chief to rescue young girls who were being forced into marriage.
“The aim of the project is to save the girls who have been traumatized. . . little girls who have been forced into marriage — as well as young girls who have endured female genital mutilation. When they come to us, the girls need counseling, which is done by one of our trained Sisters. We are trying to save these children from practices that treat them as a piece of property to be bartered, traded and abused. We want to reassure the children and the people in the region that these liffle ones are human beings!”
“We have built a Rescue Center — at the request of the local chief — and have been able to create a residential facility that provides a secure environment where the girls can live while they attend school and even learn skills such as bag making, beadwork, and cooking that will enable them to eventually help support themselves. We are also teaching the girls how to grow a vegetable garden and do other farming.
“One of the greatest things we are accomplishing,” she continues, “is that we are showing other young girls that they do not have to endure such things as having their bodies mutilated or marrying while they are still little children in order to live in society. We are teaching them and the adults as well that each human being has dignity . . . that everyone deserves tespect.”
“In addition to their need for counseling,” Sr. Caroline writes, “some of the children coming to us need major medical attention (one young girl even needs heart surgery). There is no way that the Center will ever be financially self-sustaining and — because the children are so young and the region is so poor — there is no way for the Child Rescue Center to be supported by the local community. We urgently need financial help!”
As I read Sr. Caroline’s letter, I tried to imagine the horror that these little girls have endured . . . the tenor of being forced to be a “child-bride.” I tried to imagine the fear and pain they must suffer, but I couldn’t. I only know that something must be done to help Sr. Caroline and the others at the Child Rescue Center who are working so hard to save the lives of these little children. That is why I am writing this letter to you!
I am hoping that we can raise at least $40,000 to help support the Child Rescue Center in Kenya as well as help other missions that are working with poor children in East Africa. The need for the work that Sr. Caroline and the other missionaries are doing is incredible — and $40,000 would go a long way in making a huge difference in the lives of children! I really do not know how much you can give right now, but please know that whatever amount you can send will be used to reach out to help protect and heal children who are suffering. Your gift will let them know that there are others who care — that they are not alone – that they are human beings!