Hi everyone,
I am the international liaison officer for Aang Serian, the Tanzanian nonprofit organization that works with ImTrav on the Volunteer Safari and Maasai Experience (VSME) trip based at Noonkodin School near Monduli. I'm writing to ask if anyone can help us out at all, as we are in a very difficult position.
Since December 2005, Aang Serian has been running a grassroots campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM) in five Maasai villages. News of the campaign is spreading rapidly as the school vacation (the peak season for FGM) approaches. In the past three weeks, 27 desperate Maasai girls aged between 11 and 18 have run away from their families and come to our school, seeking protection from FGM and forced marriage, often to men in their fifties and sixties who already have several wives.
FGM is practised by Maasai as a rite of passage to adulthood and involves the excision of the clitoris and part of the inner labia with an unsterilised razor blade. It causes excruciating pain, shock, severe blood loss and often infections. Several girls die every year as a direct result of the procedure and many more suffer permanent damage, including infertility and mental health problems. Women who have undergone FGM experience less pleasure during sex, more pain during childbirth, and higher rates of infant mortality.
Aang Serian, a relatively small organization with no long-term donor funding, has only enough money to support the first 6 refugees. The rest will all need to be returned home unless sponsors can be found to contribute money for their food, shelter, medical care and education. Are any of you able to make a contribution? All donations, however small, are gratefully received. Does anyone know of any women's organizations that might be able to help out?
Many thanks in advance,
Gemma Enolengila (Mrs)
[ edit - this tour code changed in 2007 to VKSM ]
[ http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/destinations/tourdetails/pop_itin.php?code=VKSM ]
[ 27. November 2006, 10:01 AM: Message edited by: BrendanG ]
Re: Maasai girls fleeing genital mutilation - emergency appeal
Hi Gemma,
Are there any contact details or direct means that anybody can use to directly donate money to Aang Serian? Please feel free to post the details on our traveller forums if you do have such details and good luck with your cause.
Re: Maasai girls fleeing genital mutilation - emergency appeal
Gemma & Moderator
I was keen to do the VKSM trip starting 24 March 2007 and was oging to book it todauy but I see that that start date does not show in the current brochure whereas it did show when I last look a few weeks ago. I have asked if VKSM will be runnning from that date and if it is I wuold like to do it.
It would certainly make my coming East Africa trip more meaningful to be able to make a targetted contribution. Especially if I met a child I was supporting. I should be interested to know what it might cost to sponsor a child such as an approximately monthly amount. Here in New Zealand the film "The White Masai" recently showed us the FGM custom and brought home what an abuse it is.
I would at least like to know more from you.
thank you
Andy Aston
Re: Maasai girls fleeing genital mutilation - emergency appeal
Hi Andy
Many thanks for your post,
Our departure dates have changed slightly since the release of our new brochure for 2007
The nearest departure date that we can now offer is the 24th of Feb.
I have also passed your post onto my responsible travel officer regarding supporting a child in Africa to see if this is something we can help with, she should be in touch shortly.
Kind regards
Gemma
Re: Maasai girls fleeing genital mutilation - emergency appeal
Hello Andy !
This is Maxine.
From your posting my understanding is that you are interested in sponsoring one of the girls who are looking for schooling at Aang Serian, would that be right ?
If so, you can contact Gemma directly about this and she'll advise you on the set up and costs.
If you were thinking of a different kind of sponsorship please contact me directly and I'll be happy to look into some options for you.
Kind Regards
Maxine Wheller
Responsible Travel Officer
Imaginative Traveller
rto@imtrav.net
Re: Maasai girls fleeing genital mutilation - emergency appeal
Dear all,
Further to my previous message... please contact me directly if you are interested in making a contribution to the FGM appeal. My email is enolengila@yahoo.co.uk.
Many thanks again,
Gemma
Re: Maasai girls fleeing genital mutilation - emergency appeal
Hello Gemma,
Many thanks for your recent posting detailing how we can pledge a donation.
All of us here are very sad to hear the reasons behind your cause and wish you all the very best of luck with your very worthy project.
Kind Regards,
Amy