Nasaru Ntoyie "Lets Save the Girls" is a project of the Maasai Women’s Group based in Isinya of Kajiado District in Kenya. The group was established in the year 1993 with the mission of rescuing young Maasai school girls of ages (9-16 years) who are traditionally married to older men (often over 35 years) as second, third or even fourth wives by their own parents. The arrangements are done secretly and the covenant most often is sealed when the child is still an infant.

This women’s group has been counseling the girls and their parents and where the situation dictates, relocating them to a boarding primary school or a secondary school away from their home as a rescue measure, at least during the crisis period.

The Kenyan government does not permit child marriages, however a number of parents still find ways of making secret marriage pacts. This group helps to bring such cases into the open. Nonetheless, since parents may not be willing to support the schooling of these girls, Nasaru Ntoyie has been doing whatever is possible to raise funds for school fees, uniform and upkeep.

By 2005 May, 150 girls had been supported through their primary school and secondary school.10 young women have managed to go through tertiary colleges. At present Nasaru Ntoyie is sponsoring 210 girls in primary, secondary and colleges. This is inclusive of bright girls from poor families (that is 150 in primary school, 50 in secondary school and 10 in tertiary college). Aid has been in the form of tuition fees, uniform and other basics needs.

The group endeavors to raise funds locally through making and selling of Maasai crafts, especially bead work. The market however, has not been favorable. We also get funds form well wishers and other organizations. For example, in the past two years Global Fund Round 2 funded the group primarily focusing on OVC (Orphan Vulnerable Children), feeding them and buying school uniforms and also it had a project on PLWH (People living with HIV and Aids).

The motivation that made Penina start this project is her profession and also the fact that she was rescued from early marriage her self.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of goal of the group is to empower the Maasai girl-child for a strong future and educating them to become self-dependent.

• Educate girls and enable them to be self-dependent
• Empower girls with skills for them to be able to help others for example teachers and nurses

• Create awareness of the need to help girl child to complete school
• Support and empower economically families who adopt the girl-child at risk

• Dr. Zachary Wanjohi: senior pastor Gospel Recovery Centre
• James Moiyae: TB coordinator Kajiado District
• Pastor Naftali Lemooke: Anglican Church of Kenya Kajiado
• Marion Katamboi: Community Elder

The organizations offices are situated in Isinya shopping center, it has six employed staff and 10 volunteers. The staff is comprised of:

• Overall coordinator & chairperson (nurse by profession)
• Child affairs coordinator
• Accountant & IT specialist
• Secretary & administrator
• Social worker
• Child psychology consultant

NEEDS

Nasaru Ntoyie continues to rely on well-wishers, although the Global Fund did contribute at some stage. Currently, the organization is located in the remote heartlands of Maasai land in Isinya, Kajiado District. This brings along the problem of transport, as the organization does not have any form of reliable vehicles that could be used in the rescue missions, which usually occur in the deep rural environs of the greater Kajiado District. In addition, a lack of reliable transportation limits the efficiency of managing the organization especially in regards of ferrying essential amenities to the centre. It also restricts Nasaru Ntoyie’s ability to function effectively during cases of emergency, for example, having to take an ill girl to the medical centre that is situated at least 60 kilometers from Nasaru Ntoyie’s location.

The main objective of Nasaru Ntoyie is to provide a place of refuge and safety for girls subjected to anachronistic patriarchal traditions of child marriages to older males. However, providing refuge goes in tandem with empowering these girls. The mere fact that they have escaped from an arranged marriage sometimes renders them persona non grata in their respective communities. As such, it becomes vital to provide these girls with avenues of bettering their lives and thus educating them is essential. Towards this there is an urgent need to procure funding for most of the girls enrolled in educational institutes in and around Kajiado District.

Finally, in order to improve our reach and ability to network with organizations that share similar ideals, Nasaru Ntoyie needs to acquire a fax machine and have a website constructed to promote advocacy efforts.

BUDGET

The amounts are in Kenya Shillings

Four junior staff @ 12,000.00 each per month = 576, 000.00
One Consultant @ 10,000.00 per month = 120,000.00
Overall coordinator @ 20, 000.00 per month = 240, 000.00

Office rent for one year is @6,500.00 per month = 78,000.00
Electricity @1,000.00 per month = 12,000.00
Office stationeries @ 6,000 per month = 12,000.00

Conversion into Euros according to exchange rates by the Nairobi Stock Exchange as per September 2006, at the rate of 93.0088 Euros = Euros 11,160.23

These amounts apply for one girl