Episode 17 - Kyle Fiess - First reactions to girls escaping child marriage and female genital mutilation, and managing the six-year project to improve their school's infrastructure

Maranatha’s vice president of projects describes his first day visiting the Kajiado Adventist School and Rescue Center in Kenya, in what would become a six-year project he oversaw. He recalls his initial reactions to the plight of these Maasai girls who ran away from their homes to escape female genital mutilation and child marriage. The guys discuss what it’s like for these girls as they escape, not knowing where they’re going, and somehow end up at the Kajiado center. It becomes their new home as they are not welcome back in their village. 

Kyle explains how Maranatha’s scope of work started by simply providing adequate sleeping and bathing arrangements with new dorms. Over time, it grew to include much more infrastructure, including a high school. He also recounts a critical moment in the project, where campus water was needed, but geological reports indicated it was unlikely to be found. One of the special aspects of this long-term project was the hundreds of volunteers who came, sometimes on multiple mission trips, to help build the campus. These visits allowed opportunities for volunteers to serve as positive role models, providing advice and perspectives on endless possibilities for the girls’ bright new futures. 

Television episodes about the Kajiado School:
Transformation at Kajiado: https://watch.maranatha.org/maranatha-mission-stories/videos/mms11e50-1

A Refuge of Hope: https://watch.maranatha.org/videos/mms907

New Life at Kajiado: https://watch.maranatha.org/videos/mms910

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Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.