S.H.E. College Fund Annual Report 2022

TheS.H.E.CollegeFund

2022ANNUALREPORT

LetterfromtheExecutiveDirector

Dear S.H.E. Marafiki (friends in Swahili),

Come with me to Narok Town, to a little restaurant just outside the small but bustling center where trucks, cars, cows, goats and swarms of piki piki (motorbikes) seem to honk, bellow and bleat in unison. Even so, the restaurant has a kind of calm around it. At one of the outdoor tables, you’ll find the S.H.E. Team: Jacinta Meteur, Emily Ketter, Annie Lightbody and yours truly. The waiter, whose sister happens to be a S.H.E. student, practically knows our orders by heart, since this is the oasis we visit just about every day. This evening we are particularly exhausted, but our eyes are sparkling and you can almost see our hearts shining through them. We’ve just completed the 30th of the 58 interviews -- of current S.H.E. students, graduates and applicants -- that we’ll be giving while Annie and I are in Kenya. Because the S.H.E. College Fund is built on the power of relationship, spending quality time with each and every member of the community is a must.

We’ve gathered on this balmy December night to collaboratively design what will be the culminating three days of the year for the S.H.E. students and team. On Friday we’ll give a graduation ceremony for two students, Linah and Sylvia, who have attained their Degrees. Parents, families, neighbors and friends will converge to celebrate, give speeches, and, in Kenyan traditional manner, be fed cake by the proud young women. On Saturday and Sunday the entire S.H.E. student community will converge from all over Kenya to take seminars during the day and join in the annual S.H.E. Celebration on Saturday night, where we will partake of a feast of Maasai dance, poetry, speeches, and food. The year’s nine graduates will be honored and every student will take the microphone to inspire her “sisters” to continue to transform her culture through working toward her dream of becoming an educated and empowered woman.

2022 has been a year of profound learning and organizational growth for the S.H.E. Fund. It was the only year we did not admit new students into the program. This was due to several reasons, the primary being that we were laying the groundwork for The Next Step Initiative (NSI), a huge and exciting change for the Fund. For the last 10 years we have been honored to support the girls of one Safe House, the Tasaru Center. The NSI opens the S.H.E. College Fund to scholarship applications from students who have been harbored at any Safe House in Narok County due to the threat of FGM/c and Early Forced Childhood Marriage. This requires a new and rigorous application and investigation process that brings with it many gifts and challenges. The S.H.E. team has spent all of 2022 diligently laying a robust and resilient foundation for this huge step: designing application procedures, developing relationships with safe houses in the county, meeting with local chiefs and government officials, consulting with other scholarship granting organizations to learn and grow from and with them.

2022 also brought the recognition that giving young women the opportunity to go to college is a huge step towards changing oppressive cultural traditions and empowering women and girls. But it is not enough. Providing these young women with the support to enter the world as confident and prepared professionals is the next step To that end we are proud to be cultivating a growing number of su S.H.E. students. In 2022 we offered Life Skills; Co Building; Sexual, Reproductive and Relationship and Mental Health and Wellness Seminars. We a looking forward to adding to this bounty in 2023 including parents, families and local communitie in the offerings.

None of this is possible without you. Whether yo gift is financial, collaborative or the precious attention you turn now and then in our direction know that we f l e and it matters. Thank you.

Overviewof2022

Statistics

+ 9 Students Graduated College

+ 1 Student Graduated High School

+ 26 Students in College

+ 3 Students in School

+ 161 Individual Donors

+ 6 Institutional Grants

Student Seminars

+ Sexual and Reproductive Health

+ Healthy Relationships

+ Mental Health and Wellbeing

+ Computer Literacy

+ Community Building

+ Women's Empowerment

The Next Step Initiative

+ Broadening our reaching to safe houses throughout Narok County

BytheNumbers: TheS.H.E.FundCreatesLastingImpact

We are very proud that 97% of S.H.E. students graduate. Through their resilience and courage, the steadfast commitment of our Funders, and the excellent support from our staff on academic, psychological and practical levels, our students stay the course despite the ever-present threat of harmful traditional practices such as FMG/C and early/forced/child marriage, unrelenting family pressure to contribute financially, and prevailing norms to demonstrate womanhood through childbearing.

Students aspire to acquire educational qualifications and intern experience that will lead to future employment. Those who begin with artisan or certificate programs often seek to advance into diploma or degree programs. Many continue their training by earning a professional accreditation, such as CPA.

Narok County is one of Kenya's most impoverished areas. The opportunity for young women to pursue higher education and subsequently earn an income is a powerful message to a culture that denies education to females. 70% of S.H.E. graduates are now working, including for local government agencies. When educated women get jobs, control their own assets, help their families and go back to transform their communities, lasting change is set in motion. This is a testament to the enduring impact of The S.H.E. College Fund. We thank our Funders for creating this unique and valuable opportunity for our students!

97% of women supported by The S.H.E. College Fund graduate!

65% of students complete the equivalent of an associate's or bachelor's degree.

36% of students earn a 2nd sequential degree. 5% of students earn a 3rd degree.

70% of graduates are working or selfemployed, many in Narok County.

akingADifference

Shelvin Naisimoi Kamaamia Degree in Laboratory Science

Supported by Diane Harner

Juliet Semeyian Karbolo Degree in Procurement

Supported by Monnie Reba Efross and Ann Cain McGinnis

Stella Lanoi Karbolo Secondary School

Supported by Donna LaPerle

Alinah Sawaina Katangie Artisan in Food & Beverage

Supported by Floy Andrews and Fred Page

Millicent Naisiae Karbolo Diploma in Education for Special Needs

Supported by Caroline Gereau and Ken Mancuso

Mercy Letura Diploma in Business Management

Supported by Marie Chandoha

Linah Naisimoi Naisho Degree in Commerce

Supported by Jodi Gold

Sylvia Sordo Degree in Business Management - Accounting

Supported by Ellie Wood

Sylvia Taruru Artisan in Fashion & Design/Garment Making

Supported by Geneen Roth and Matt Weinstein

Diana Nchoe Certificate in Social Work

Supported by Molly and Jorge Tapais

Mission&Values

THE MISSION OF THE S.H.E. FUND

To provide girls and young women from Narok County who have fled Female Genital Mutilation (FGM/c), Early Forced Childhood Marriage (EFCM) and their tribe's refusal to educate females, with college, university, or trade school education, so these young women become change-makers in their communities and stop the cycles of oppression in their culture and on our planet;

To

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expenses, as well as deeply engaged mentorship from S.H.E. staff and funders, as they face the tasks of becoming leaders in their communities;

To foster as many as many student-donor relationships as possible, in the knowledge that the cross-cultural human connection will change the lives of all.

THE VALUES OF THE S.H.E. COLLEGE FUND

To encourage and nurture relationship as the essence of our work: between student and funder, between student and student, between Kenya staff and U.S. staff, among staff members in each country, among board members, and between the Fund and the community it serves.

To recognize that we are a learning community first and foremost: we are all students of one another, and all teachers.

To ensure that interaction and “inner action” are as important as outer action in the S.H.E. Fund. We recognize that the healthy functioning of the organization arises out of each individual’s goodwill, self-responsibility, and openness in all our communications.

2022S.H.E.Students

Agnes Letura Tourism Alinah Sawaine Katangie Food & Beverage

Diana Nchoe Social Work

Dories Kimorgo C i H l h

Supported by Paul Byrne

Supported by Fred Page and Floy Andrews

Supported by Diane Harner

Supported by Kate Schapiro

Supported by Molly & Jorge Tapias

Supported by Sabrina and Lilith Coryell

Hellen Kudate Arts & Education

Jose

Supported by Catherine Gray

Hannah Naingisa Primary School

Supported by Terry Heinzmann

Brenda Nanetia Counseling Psychology

Supported by Tyger Schuster

Angela Sianto Koonyo Social Work

Charity Sonkori Secondary School

Supported by Monnie Reba Efross and Ann McGinnis

Juliet Karbolo Procurement

I got to meet Dawn McGuire by God's grace. We may not have met in person, but I always feel like she knows me so much, and I know her, too. She became my anchor, my strength, my hope, my dreams, and my future. She gave me the only ever needed for wealth in this world: EDUCATION. Mum Dawn, I love you so much for everything you have done for me in the past, everything you are still doing and will continue doing. - Peninah

Monica Kamaamia Journalism

Nelly Sanayet Business IT

Peninah Nairesiae International Relations

Rhoda Naserian Civil Engineering

Salula Naingisa Social Work

Sarah Ngaurr Liaram Arts & Education

Supported by Lisa Wade

Supported by Kim Rosen

upported by Patti Cohn

Supported by Dr Dawn McGuire

Supported by Breen & Roger Housden

Linah Naisimoi Commerce

Maryann Nkoirombai Social Work

Supported by Jodi Gold

Supported by Jude Henning

Mercy Letura Accounting

Supported by Marie Chandoha

Millicent Naisiae Special Needs Education

Supported by Carolyn Gereau and Kenneth Mancuso

13

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Susan Natasha Fashion Design

Sylvia Keis Community Health Sy

Supported by Elya Braden

Supported by Margaret Wagner

Weinstein

Sarah Sankale Early Childhood Education

Shelvin Naisimoi Laboratory Science

Stella Lanoi Secondary School

Supported by Christina MaceTurner

Supported by Diane Harner

Supported by Donna LaPerle

Having you support me through my college is a miracle I can’t even believe. I want to take this chance to thank you for taking me as your other kid and paying for my college...Wow, the classes are so sweet...I am thankful. I love you so much.

Sylvia in Accounting

Monica at the radio station

Brenda at the clinic

Sylvia T. in Tailoring Josephine

Rhoda in Civil Engineering

Initiatives: AnInfrastructureofSupport

Each S.H.E. student is a trailblazer. Until she courageously followed the path of her dreams, no woman in the generations of ancestors before her had ever gone to school. Even in her own childhood, her parents did not believe in educating girls. Though they are proud of her now, they do not know the world she lives in and cannot guide her on her journey.

This is why the S.H.E. Fund is cultivating a multidimensional support system for the students. In 2022, we gave the following seminars: Sexual and Reproductive Health, Healthy Relationships, Mental Health and Community Building, as well as the deeply engaged one to one mentorship we've always offered the students.

Mickreen Adhiambo, a gifted advocate for sexual and reproductive rights, led a powerful workshop on choice and empowerment. The Mental Health Workshop led by Maya Brown (S.H.E. Board Member), Monica Kamaamia (S.H.E. Student) and me was a life changer for many students, some of whom are becoming spokeswomen in the movement to demarginalize mental health issues in Kenya

We look forward to substantially expanding these support programs in 2023/4 to include Career Guidance/Job Readiness, professional mentorship and workshops for parents and families.

Maya Brown, Board Member

Mickreen Adhiambo with S.H.E..E. students

Partnerships

INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS

Cowles Family Trust

Silicon Valley Community Organisation

Schwab Charitable

Impact a Village

National Philanthropic Trust

Impact Assets

COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS

Annie Lightbody's Fall Fundraiser

Doug Peck's Birthday Fundraiser

Patti Cohn's Birthday Fundraiser

GIVING TUESDAY

Thank you for the more than $10,606 in donations we received on Giving Tuesday to support S.H.E. students!

BENEFIT CONCERT

Kim Rosen and Jami Sieber gave a Benefit Poetry Concert celebrating the release of their new album: Feast of Losses: A Communion of Grief and Gratitude. Proceeds went to the S.H.E. Fund.

2022Donors

PRIMARY FUNDERS AND SUSTAINING DONORS

Floy Andrews & Fred Page

Elya Braden

Pam Brewster

Paul Byrne

Karin Carrington

Marie Chandoha

Patricia Cohn

Sabrina & Lilith Coryell

Paige DeLacey & Tom Keiser

Anail Moon & Jay Devi

Anne Feltes

Catherine Gray

Diane Harner

Terry Heinzmann

Jude Henning

John & Helen Hillman

Breen & Roger Housden

Christina Mace-Turner

Dawn McGuire MD

Donna Paul

Kim Rosen

Katherine Schapiro

Judith Stone

Jorge & Molly Tapias

Lisa Wade

Margaret Wagner

Ellie Wood

RAFIKI* DONORS

Anonymous

Karin & Ronald Aarons

Robert Adamich

Noliwe Alexander

Karen Arnold

Kayleen Asbo

John August

Johanna Baruch

Ellen Bass

Katherine Benson

Karen Berelowitz

Laurie Berman

Miranda & Peter Black

David Boatwright

Ann Brennan

Margot Brennan

Patricia Burke

Routh Chadwick

Tanisha Christie

Lilian Clesham

Carol Cohen

Casey Cole & Doug Silver

Brenda Costa

Vivienne Crighton

Jill Crisci

Steven Davis

Matthew Deming

Antoinette DeNardis

Laura Denomme

Robert DePeron

Carol Marie DeRienzo

Adam Domian & Jack Dortmans

Janice Falls

Lisa Farlin

Alwyn Fischel

Patricia Fontaine

Carol Foote

Gail Freund

Nieves Garrido

Sheilah Glover

Ron Goettinger

Barbara Graham

Lucia Guerin

Deborah Hall

Gordon Hamersley

Meg Harlor

Barbara Henrioulle

Lindsay Herr

Mark Hinkley

Jenna Hoff

Robert & Laura Hoguet

Anita Holladay

Laura Hooper

Marina Johnson

Barbara Johnstone

Kathryn Jordan

Wendi Kaplan

Jonathan Keates

Scherrie Keating

Matthew Kehrt

Carolyn Kellogg

Jan Klein

Michael Klose

Katherine Knuth

Akiva Leffert

Nancy Letizia

Annie Lightbody

Erica Ligon

Nancy Hodge Long

Tess Lorraine

Gina MacArthur

Marilyn Manning

Susan Manning

Tom Marino

Ann Cain McGinnis

Clare McLaughlin

Maureen McNeil & Paul Glovinsky

Lynn Morin

Ralph Moseley

Melanie & Chance Muehleck

Robert Mujica

Jan & Jim Noble

Alexander Noliwe

Brian O'Donnell

Renee Oesterlin

Kristi Parson

Debbie & Doug Peck

James Peck

Ann & Ralph Pietro

Matt Pietro

Anna Pollard

Penelope Powell

Barbara Redfield

Margaret Cliggett Reynolds

Lee Robbins

Sandra Rossini

Gene Rostov

Sue Saker

Cynthia & Herb Schultz

Tyger Schuster

Dorothy Seeger

Susan Sherman

Arlene Shulman

Anna & Chris Shultz

Linda Shultz

Mercy Sidbury

Lisa Siglain

Mary Staton & Michel Saint-Suplice

Linda Sussman, Ph.D

Marnie Tinkler

James Tomlinson

Elizabeth Torgovnick

Tina Cervin

Sage Walker

Wendy Walsh

Devi Weisenberg

Renee Whatley

Regina Wolf Fritz

Lee Zimmerman

Renee Zollinger

Rona Zollinger

AND OUR MOST SINCERE GRATITUDE TO ALL WHO DONATED THROUGH OUR FACEBOOK FUNDRAISERS!

Staff

THE S.H.E. USA TEAM

KIM ROSEN

Kim Rosen is the Founder and Executive Director of the S.H.E. Fund. She is also the author of Saved by a Poem: The Transformative Power of Words (Hay House, 2009). A culminating moment of her life mission came in 2006 when she recited a poem to a group of Maasai girls at the Tasaru Rescue Center. In that moment of cross-cultural, transgenerational communion, a deep bond was formed that eventually inspired her to create the S H E Fund to serve the girls who had won her heart Kim spends time in Kenya each year to develop personal relationships with students, network with other organizations and oversee the work of the Fund

ANNIE LIGHTBODY

Annie Lightbody is the Kenya - USA Liaison for the S.H.E. Fund. Annie is a small business owner, performing artist, fashion designer, yoga teacher, and magic maker. Her first trip to Kenya changed her life and her heart, forever. Since then she has been supporting the S.H.E. Fund in the US as well as traveling to Kenya, supporting the Kenya Staff and connecting with students and their families. Her love for the students knows no limits and her greatest passion is to ensure they feel seen, supported, and heard.

MARGARET HARDING

Margaret Harding is the Bookkeeper for the S.H.E. Fund. Margaret Harding has worked with non-profit organizations, small companies, and individuals for over 20 years. A graduate of Kenyon College, she received her M.B.A. degree from Babson College. She has extensive experience with all aspects of finance and management, from paying bills to creating business plans. Margaret’s goal is to demystify finances for her clients.

KATHLEEN WEISS-MALIK

Kat Weiss-Malik is the Program and Operations Manager for the S.H.E. Fund. She loves making a difference one person at a time. She joined the S.H.E community because she believes in heart work, and she’s inspired by every single S.H.E. student she encounters. She has an MBA from HEC Paris and has worked for nonprofits like Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute In addition to supporting the S H E Fund, she’s just completed her graduate degree in professional counseling She lives in Austin, Texas with her loving husband, his two amazing kiddos, and their two crazy cats.

JACINTA SILANTOI METEUR

Jacinta Silantoi Meteur is the Director of Kenya Operations for the S.H.E. College Fund. She earned her BS in Business, and is soon to earn an MBA in Business Administration. The eldest of 10 children, Jacinta was the first female in her village to achieve an education beyond primary school, and the first person to go to college. Even as a child, Jacinta was passionate about education. As a young girl she fled to the Tasaru Rescue Center in order to avoid FGM and go to school instead Her passion to attend college compelled her to reach out to Kim Rosen for help in 2010, and their collaboration in her college education was the seed that became the S H E Fund Jacinta is responsible for the myriad tasks that go into supporting S.H.E. students day to day in Kenya - finding them colleges, teaching them about budgeting and communication, taking them to school, bookkeeping of expenses, responding to student requests, and maintaining frequent contact with all students and team members. In her spare time, Jacinta loves to design clothing and visit her mother and younger siblings in their village, a daylong journey by motorbike through the bush.

Working for S.H.E. Fund enables me to give back to the community -- not only to my own village but to the Maasai community at large. I have personally been through what the S.H.E. students are going through so I can bring understanding and mentorship to my work. Thank you for allowing me to help many girls to achieve their goals and realize their dreams! -

Jacinta

EMILY KETTER

Emily Ketter is the organization’s Supervisor and holds a degree in Project Management. She has been the manager of the Tasaru Rescue Center for 15 years. She has known many students in the S.H.E. Fund since their arrival at the center; she knows their stories and struggles. She has the unique ability to both play and work with the students, and they respect her deeply.

LINAH NAISHO

Linah Naisho, a S.H.E. student studying for her degree in Business, helps the Kenya Operations Director with daily tasks and with taking girls to school when they start college. Linah fled FGM in 2007 and arrived at the Tasaru Safe House when Kim was visiting. At the time, she had never been to school and spoke only Maa, the indigenous language of the Maasai. Today she is a successful degree student at Maasai Mara University.

PHYLLIS NAILOIS KAMWARO

Phyllis Nailois Kamwaro met Kim Rosen when s Tasaru rescue center, having escaped FGM and the support of the S.H.E. Fund and the “Silver S program, Nailois earned her B.S. in Information Jomo Kenyatta University, Nakuru She is marri five kids: two girls and three boys Her oldest so and her twins started pre-primary in 2023 She poems, swimming, traveling, and meeting new and she currently works part-time for the S H E

THE S.H.E. FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN KENYA

The Board of Directors is a team of authorities who are highly respected as elders of Narok County and whom many of the students have known and looked up to. The Board advises the Kenyan S.H.E. Community Based Organization on communications and actions that affect the students and the

AGNES PAREYIO

Agnes Pareyio was the head of Kenya’s Anti-FGM board until 2022 when she became a member of the Kenya Parliament. She is the founder of the Tasaru Safe House, as well as the Tasaru Ntonomok Initiative. She produces educational events and Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) for the Maasai community. She is a highly respected leader and politician known throughout the world. She is also on the Board of the S.H.E. Fund Organization in Kenya, a registered community-based organization (CBO).

HELLENA MOSES

Hellena Moses is the head teacher in the largest secondary school in the Great Rift Valley. She is a founding member of Tasaru Ntomomok Initiative and the main teacher at the tri-annual ARP, which is given by Tasaru three times a year for young girls throughout Maasailand as an alternative to FGM The girls are taught about the hazards of FGM/c, sexual education and their rights

CHRISTOPHER MURRAY

Christopher Murray is the CFO of the Tasaru Ntonomok Initiative. He also holds a government position in charge of the evaluation of primary and secondary school teachers in Narok County. Chris teaches in the Alternative Rite of Passage, has led many of the reconciliation ceremonies for the Safe House girls with their families and been on rescue missions for girls endangered by EFCM.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF S.H.E. USA

The Board of Directors upholds the SHE Fund’s core values; contributes to its mission; supports and helps to determine its strategic direction; and guides its leadership, effective management, and financial stability.

MAYA MARIA BROWN

Maya Maria Brown is an International Matchmaker, and Infertility Mental Health Expert She has an MA in Counseling Psychology: Drama Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies and a BA from Tufts University. Maya previously worked as the Associate Director of the S.H.E. Fund, and had an incredible experience in Kenya with the S.H.E. students and community in December 2022. Maya lives in Sweden with her husband, two sweet dogs, and a baby on the way!

EMILY KETTER AND JACINTA SILANTOI METEUR ARE ALSO ON THE BOARD IN KENYA.

Patti Cohn is passionate about human rights and particularly champions causes supporting women and children. Sponsoring Kenyan girls from the Maasai Tribe through college is a direct way to make a difference in the world... the ripple effect is enormous. She Feels eternally blessed and grateful and yearns to give back and has been doing so for decades Patti resides in Ross, Marin County and enjoys traveling, entertaining, hiking, yoga, kayaking, deep inner work, and inspiring others She has been a top producing real estate broker in Marin County for 35 years

Contributing in this way is immensely rewarding for the giver as well as the receiver. While Traveling to Kenya and meeting Nelly, the student that i support, I felt called to step up in a bigger way and am proud to be on the board, furthering the fund’s mission. Having an ongoing relationship with Nelly and Agnes Pareyio, founder of the Tasaru center, is a joy and a privilege.

- Patti Cohn

PAIGE DELACEY

Paige DeLacey is a former head of global human resources for multiple high-growth companies and is a certified coach and advisor to start-ups. Paige holds a masters degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and has spent her career helping people and organizations achieve their potential. She became a sponsor of the S.H.E. Fund in 2015 and joined the board in 2022.

Dr Dawn McGuire is a physician and a poet with a long and loving connection to East Africa She is delighted to join the board of the S H E Fund and honored to support the educational ambitions of Maasai girls.

DR. DAWN MCGUIRE

DONNA PAUL

Donna Paul is passionate about human and animal rights and has supported both for many years. She is especially focused on empowering young women and has mentored several who suffered from physical, mental and/or substance abuse. A graduate of UCLA, she has recently retired from a successful 25+ year career in the field of Entertainment Business Management Donna fell in love with the mission of the S H E Fund and has been supporting S H E students, both financially and through deeply engaged mentorship via Facebook and WhatsApp, since 2016 Donna is thrilled to be on the Board and is looking forward to traveling to Kenya to meet the amazing young women of the S H E Fund

KARIN CARRINGTON - BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS

Karin Carrington has served as a teacher, contemplative psychologist, mentor, photographer, author, and ordained Zen Buddhist chaplain during her half-century career. Her immersion in depth psychology, spirituality, women’s empowerment, and social justice prepared her for an immediate resonance with the heartfelt mission of the S.H.E. Fund. She joined the team in 2013 and, along with founder Kim Rosen, articulated SHE’s relationship-based vision. Karin traveled to Kenya in 2016 and 2018 and had the privilege of spending time with the staff, students, and families who are part of the S H E community Karin is honored to continue to serve as emeritus Board Member

KIM ROSEN IS ALSO ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN THE USA

CelebratingTwoGraduates

On December 16, 2022 the S.H.E. College Fund had the huge joy and privilege of creating a graduation ceremony for two Degree students, Linah and Sylvia. Many S.H.E. students, family members, well wishers and even a Pastor gathered to exquisitely recognise and bless Linah and Sylvia for the "hard work miracle" of their graduation.

Why do I call it a miracle? Each of these young women is the first college graduate in her family, and the first female graduate in her village. Linah found refuge in a Safe House from FGM/C at the age of 9, and her parents didn't speak to her for 10 years. Sylvia's mother died when she was a child, and she was raised by her stepmother. When she was 14, her family planned her FGM/C ceremony, after which she was to become the second wife to a man in his fifties. On the eve of the ceremony, she convinced one of her brothers to take her to the Tasaru Safe House, where she was protected and sent to school.

Most moving to me at the ceremony were the mothers. These are women who were cut and forced into marriage themselves at early ages; women who gave the rest of their lives to bearing children, obeying their husbands, and keeping their families alive; women who truly believed their daughters must undergo "the cut" to survive in the world; who intended to marry their daughters off for their own good and the good of the family. I am blown away by these mothers who had the heart to not only welcome their daughters back into the family, but to celebrate them and recognize them as teachers and leaders of the community.

Sylvia

My Name is Sylvia Sordo, a graduate of Moi University. I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management - Accounting. I am a beneficiary of S.H.E Fund, and I proudly and confidently commend The S.H.E. Fund on the incredible changes they make in the lives of the students they support.

First, I congratulate the vision bearers of the S.H.E. FUND (Kim Rosen and the team) for selflessly giving their best for the girls who are determined to make their dreams come true in spite of their tough situations.

Secondly, I really send my sincere gratitude to my great friend and Funder, Ellie Wood, for being such a love in my life and my university academic journey. Thank you for stepping up and choosing to fund my academics so generously.

I finally and gladly want to thank all the S.H.E. funders for the continuous support you are giving to the S.H.E students. They were denied education in their early life, and now they are about to graduate with college degrees! All because you chose to make an impact on their very innocent lives.

So many girls desperately desire to be in school, but they can't because of early marriages and FGM. I encourage more funders to support The S.H.E. Fund! Your support and funding will be highly appreciated and will change the lives of many!

Linah

Hello, I am Linah Naisho, a courageous and dedicated girl from the Maasai Land. I was rescued from female genital mutilation and early forced childhood marriage when I was 9 years old.

The Tasaru Center cared for me during my primary and secondary education. But then I had to leave the center and I had nowhere to go. I did not know where to turn. The only choice was to go back to the oppression of the Maasai culture I knew as a child.

The S.H.E. Fund became my next step of life, offering support for me to continue with my studies in university. I am now a graduate of Maasai Mara University, having achieved a bachelor's degree in Business Management. I thank God for The S.H.E. Fund. They understand that sending girls to secondary school is not enough to change the world. Girls must have help to go to college and become professional women in order to bring evolution to the oppressive cultures they come from.

My graduation has helped my family and my community to believe in girls' education, a right that is traditionally denied to females in my culture. Through the S.H.E. Fund, courageous girls who have escaped FGM and Early Marriage are becoming beautiful world changers.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all our donors, Primary Funders, and all our supporters for believing in us. My special thanks to my beloved funder, Jodi. She has been a pillar of support all through my degree program. I treasure you in my heart, dear Jodi.

Yourgenerousgiving haschangedmylife!

Asante Sana! Ashay Oleng! Thank You!