Protecting Girls from Genital Mutilation in Kenya

Held on 21:08:2015 Friday at Naitawang Academy play ground.
REPORT ON THE EVENTS AND RESOLUTIONS

The meeting started at exactly 10:00 am as planned with the word of prayers given by Pastor Ole Tiemasi
thereafter followed by a procession by all the Tareto Maa girls in beautiful Red T-shirts adorned by our girls.
Immediately after the procession, the entertainment followed.
The gathering was thrilled by what the girls presented, a testimony of how God has really blessed Tareto Maa and the community at large.

We had drama, traditional dancers and poetry all bearing the the theme of the day SAY NO TO FGM AND FORCED EARLY MARRIAGES IN MAASAI LAND.

The meeting was fully attended with all the parents and guardians of the girls, an estimated number of 500 people were in attendance with a majority being women accounting to 300, thus justify the good work done by Tareto Maa in the society by changing the old ways of doing things, it was also an indication that the attitude of women towards modern ways has changed hence positive attitude towards education.
The meeting was also attended by the area administrative wing lead by the area chief among many others.
After the entertainment, there were speeches, the founder of Tareto Maa Mrs Gladys Kiranto took the gathering through the mission, vision and objectives of Tareto Maa, that its main objective is to support girls rescued from the retrogressive act of FGM and early marriages by providing them with the following items:
1) Shelter- hence the start of Tareto Maa rescue centre thus the construction of the dormitories which are now over stretch due to high demand hence need for more and beddings are also urgently required - ie blankets, sheets, beds and mattresses
2) Education - the girls are given education since education as put by Nelson Mandela "education is the the only weapon used to change the world" by paying their school fees from nursery class to college
3) clothing of the girls - we buy school uniforms, shoes,
4) Food - the girls are fed by Tareto Maa during the holidays the 128 girls and the rest during school days.
5) We do also provide sanitary towels to our grown up girls through out the year
6) Provision of books and stationary every start of year as the girls progress to the next class.
7) Provision of guiding and counselling services to the girls and their families
8) Provision of career development to our girls so as to make them meaningful members of the community after completing their studies.
9) Provision of role models by the community members from within and without
10) Provision of spiritual nourishment at the early stages of the life by dedicated and committed church leaders and elders
11) Talent harvest from the girls - it is the duty of Tareto Maa to give the rescued girls an opportunity to explore and exploit their talents to the maximum.

The founder also notified the people present of some of the projects undertaken so far by Tareto Maa with the assistance of the sponsors from Austria and America as follows:
1) The construction of the girls dormitory
2) The construction of the dinning hall which not yet furnished with the tables and chairs

The found also highlighted the need for the construction of the bridge connecting the centre and the main road, provision of clean and safe water for the girls at the rescue centre, proper medication for the girls and the security of the girls once admitted at the center.
She also highlighted the issue of fluctuations of prices of the essential commodities thus the need for review of the earlier budget.
The meeting was also notified of the good performance of the girls both academically and the co-curricallah activities, the girls went up to the county level.
Parents and guardians in response praised the the organization for the good work it has done for the short period its in operation, thus pledging to support it spiritually, morally and financially and a show of commitment they each donated a sheep towards Tareto Maa and promised to be doing it annually as a sign of appreciation and supplementing for what the sponsors and well wishers have been doing.
The community members also requested to be part and parcel of the team running the affairs of the organization.
The meeting was also blessed by the attendance of the government officials and the other like minded players in the fight against FGM and early marriages and the assistance of the orphans and the needy children in the society.
We had the founder and Director of Sirua Aulo Academy who is also a pillar in the efforts of making the society a better place to live.
The chief Guest was The director of Ewuaso Ngiro South Development Authority Mr Charles Sunkuli who really inspired all in attendance with his wonderful speech based on the needy to assist the girl education and women empowerment, he pledged to partner with Tareto Maa and the community in ensuring that the objectives have been achieved.
The meeting ended peacefully and as planned.