Over 200 Million Girls and Young Women Affected by Forced Marriages and Female Genital Mutilation Worldwide

In around 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East, as well as in some countries in Asia and Latin America, these practices are still carried out

The reasons for this are multifaceted and complex. Practicing communities justify their actions based on social norms and traditions, as well as aesthetic ideals of beauty and purity. Social and financial pressures on families also play a significant role. In many cases, religious arguments and centuries-old rituals are used to legitimize these actions. 

In Kenya, it is now legally prohibited and strictly prosecuted by the police. Unfortunately, it is difficult to control in some regions, leaving children still defenseless. The consequences of such trauma follow and shape the young girls for their entire lives.

You can certainly imagine that a child who has been hurt like this finds it hard to believe in the love of God.

In 2021, Grace met some of these girls during the ongoing work on our sanitation projects in Ortum. In this girls’ boarding school, 40 children supported by a local association could find shelter.

Returning to their families is no longer possible in most cases.

Financial donations are urgently needed to cover the annual school fees and ensure their meals and accommodation.

“If school fees cannot be paid, the children are, in the worst-case scenario, left to fend for themselves again.”

In 2022, I had the opportunity to meet these girls during the inauguration of the completed sanitation facility in Ortum. We promised our support to the children and the school for 2023. Back in Germany, as an association, we gave a lot of thought to how we could help these girls.

On the one hand, the children need proper housing, and on the other hand, it must be ensured that ongoing costs for school fees, clothing, and education can be covered.
… But most importantly, it is essential to convey the love of Jesus to these young, afflicted children. They need to know that He is always there for them, that they are beloved and precious children of God, and that the way they have been treated was never His intention or will for their lives.

The congregation in Ortum provided us with an old ruin for the realization of our girls’ home, which we were able to complete in April 2023 with your financial support and a lot of prayer.

The joy among the girls was immense. Finally, they had their own bed in a safe environment.

For future projects, Jesus gave us a clear mission under the motto “safe girl child.”

We were not quite finished with our girls’ home in Ortum when we received an invitation from a pastor in the North Pokot region.

After hours of travel, we met a couple called by God, who inspired us with their selfless, loving, and heartfelt dedication to Jesus.

Over ten years ago, they decided to move to this abandoned region, inhabited mainly by nomadic tribes, to establish a congregation and teach the Word of God.

For this mission, they had to place their own children with relatives, whom they now only see during school holidays.

They soon came into contact with some girls and, with the help of the school and police intervention, were able to rescue them. Unfortunately, there were no accommodations for these girls, so Pastor David and his wife decided to take the children into their home. With the help of other congregation members, they provided for the girls as best as they could.

Looking into our hearts, it became immediately clear that we could make a difference here with God’s help. We pledged our support to Pastor David, his wife, and the children.

Our goal for 2023/2024 is to build an extension to the small house already owned by the pastor to provide a shelter for the rescued girls. Additionally, we aim to secure the annual school fees through donations.

In this context, we are currently considering organizing and offering sponsorships for the individual children.

The entire project, including water supply and sanitation facilities, requires approximately €30,000. The school fees for one girl currently amount to around €200.

We continue to look forward to your support.

In conclusion, I would like to share a quote by Teresa of Avila that personally moved me deeply and brought our mission in Kenya even closer to my heart.

Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion looks out to the world. Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which He now blesses the world.

Report by Detlef Biber Chairman, Hand of Progress e.V.