Cross Catholic Outreach

Delivering food, shelter, and hope to the poorest of the poor

Español
Delivering food, shelter and hope to the poorest of the poor.
  • Donate
  • Our Impact
  • Ways to Give
    • Give by Program
      • Greatest Needs
      • Food
      • Education
      • Water
      • Medical
      • Homes
      • Vulnerable Children
      • Elderly Care
      • Microenterprise
      • Disaster Relief
    • Give by Region
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Caribbean
      • Latin America
      • South America
    • Monthly Giving
    • Greatest Needs
    • Major Gifts
      • Water For Life Kenya
      • Kobonal Mission
      • Transform Santa Rosa
      • Help Children Blossom
    • Planned Giving
    • Foundations and Other Grantmakers
  • Get Involved
    • Box of Joy®
    • Invite a Priest
    • Food Packing Events
    • Clergy & Diocese
    • Mission & Vision Trips
  • Church & School
  • Projects Catalog
    • Programs
      • Greatest Needs
      • Food
      • Education
      • Water
      • Medical
      • Homes
      • Vulnerable Children
      • Elderly Care
      • Microenterprise
      • Disaster Relief
    • Regions
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Caribbean
      • Latin America
      • South America
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Board and Leadership
    • Financials
    • What We Do
      • Food
      • Education
      • Housing
      • Disaster Relief
      • Medical
      • Vulnerable Children
      • Water
    • Where We Work
      • Ethiopia
      • Guatemala
      • Haiti
      • Honduras
      • Kenya
      • Malawi
      • Mozambique
      • Nicaragua
      • Zambia
    • Stories and Updates
    • Careers
    • News Center
    • God in Our Office
    • Contact Us

Rescuing Girls in Kenya

April 16, 2013 by Cross Catholic Blog

With support from Cross Catholic Outreach, the Marie Adelaide Girls Rescue Center is providing education as an alternative to early marriage and female genital mutilation.
With support from Cross Catholic Outreach, the Marie Adelaide Girls Rescue Center is providing education as an alternative to early marriage and female genital mutilation.

There’s a long-running debate in the mission field about when to embrace local customs and when to resist them. How do we draw the line between mere cultural differences and a serious ethical rift?

Sometimes, though, we come across a tradition so antithetical to Christ’s love that there is no gray area. One such practice is female genital mutilation. The ritual – which is often done in preparation for an early marriage – is dangerous, painful and unnecessary, it permanently damages a woman’s body, and it increases the maternal and infant mortality rate. It is also now illegal in Kenya.

At present, Cross Catholic Outreach is working with the sisters of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary in Kenya to provide a safe place for girls in danger of female genital mutilation and early forced marriages. That place is the Marie Adelaide Girls Rescue Center.

Here’s what the center’s director, Grace Nakaya, has to say about the work:

I have a passion for serving children, especially girls. I was a rescued girl, like them. When I was in primary school, my father tried to marry me off. Missionaries saved me. I know what it means to be given into marriage without your intention…

I want to teach youth and young women. I want to teach them about the love of God. When the girls come here, they were traumatized. As a result, they have low self-esteem. Here they have a home. Here they have hope. Here they have found the love of Christ. They are now complete. They know that female genital mutilation does not make them a woman. They now know that God has plans for their lives.

We are their family. The center helps the girls academically. The accommodations are great. I have seen lives changed.

-Tony M.

Filed Under: Africa, children Tagged With: Africa, children

Project Catalog

  • Greatest Needs
  • Food
  • Education
  • Water
  • Medical
  • Housing
  • Orphans and Vulnerable Children
  • Elderly Care
  • Microenterprise
  • Disaster Relief

Project Regions

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Caribbean
  • Latin America
  • South America

Cross Catholic Outreach
2700 N. Military Trail, Suite 300
PO Box 273908
Boca Raton, Florida 33427-3908
800-914-2420
Cross Catholic Outreach is a 501(c)(3)
EIN 65-1156061

Audited Financial for Fiscal Year 2020

© 2021 Cross Catholic Outreach. All rights reserved.

 
Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Disclosure Statement

Copyright © 2021 · Enterprise Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in