STOP CHILDHOOD MARRIAGE IN MAASAILAND

Through the generosity of our donors, Osotuwa Foundation has supported approximately 250 girls in 2024.  They have been rescued from forced childhood marriage and are attending secondary school up through university.  More than 15 girls have completed their programs and are working in jobs or internships.  The first attached photograph is from the December 18, 2024 year-end celebration and shows girls singing about the hope and future that they now have.  The song says, “Education is good for girls.  Osotuwa Foundation brings us light!”  

The second photograph shows some of the 90 girls that are finishing primary school and face early marriage in January, 2025 because Osotuwa Foundation does not have donations to support them.  We  need sponsors to commit to $600/girl/year for 8 years in order to rescue these girls.  We are successfully keeping our existing sponsored girls in school for 2025, but we are looking for new funding sources to pursue our vision of putting an end to early marriage in Tanzanian Maasailand.

The number of parents bringing their daughters to us in the past year has skyrocketed as the mindset of the Maasai elders change.  They are embracing the value of education for their daughters, but we need to continue our progress toward gender equality.  We plan to increase our presence on social media, hold sponsor appreciation/fundrasing events, apply for grants and reach out to potential donors who have a heart for our cause.  Isaya will be traveling to tell people about the program and would love to speak to as many individuals/groups as possible.  Also, visiting Isaya's home in Tanzanian is the best way to connect with the program.  In June and December each year the girls are off of school and meeting them will melt your heart.

We are helping to put a stop to this wrong practice, but we need to spread the word about our precious girls and their sad situation.  2025 will be a year of asking Osotuwa Foundation supporters to reach out to family, friends and co-workers.  Please share our website osotuwa.org and e-mail us (osotuwa@gmail.com) if you have any fundraising possiblities that we can pursue.  Ashe naleng (thank you very much in their native Maa)!