On December 3, as a part of the annual global day of giving known as #GivingTuesday, Maranatha Volunteers International raised $103,680 to fund a new high school building on the campus of the Kajiado Adventist School and Rescue Center in Kenya.
The school cares for Maasai girls who have escaped child marriage and a painful ritual known globally as female genital mutilation (FGM). This practice is illegal in Kenya, but continues to be common among the Maasai, who often live in remote areas.
Maranatha recently constructed new dorms to help house more than 200 students who attend grades K-8. When students enter high school, they must go to other regional schools with students and teachers who don’t understand the trauma they’ve endured.
‘The girls at Kajiado are remarkably brave and resilient,’ says Julie Lee, vice president of marketing for Maranatha. ‘Yet, they’re still healing from the pain of their past, so it’s important for them to be surrounded by a supportive community. These new classrooms will allow the school to expand their educational program and provide a safe, empathetic space for the girls to continue their education. We’re grateful for this outpouring of support for these incredible girls.’
The #GivingTuesday campaign also fulfilled a time-sensitive priority, as the new academic year at Kajiado starts in January. The effort allowed the building to be funded before the current 8th graders have transitioned to high school.Â
‘I sincerely appreciate all of the efforts made by Maranatha to reach so many people to make Kajiado Adventist School and Rescue Center a better school and home,’ says Sarah Daniel, principal of the school. ‘Our girls are eagerly waiting to join high school in January, 2020. For all those [who] made their contributions in terms of finances, prayers, and many other ways, I pray that God will continually bless you and expand your territories in Jesus name!’
The new building will include three classrooms, with future plans to construct additional classrooms, labs, bathrooms, dormitories, and staff housing.
Maranatha Volunteers International, based in Roseville, California, is a non-profit, Christian organization that organizes volunteers to build churches, schools, and water wells around the world. Established in 1969, Maranatha has constructed more than 11,000 structures in nearly 90 countries and mobilized more than 85,000 volunteers.