THE LONG READ: Kildare volunteers bring joy to local community in Kenya

Arranged marriages and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are just some of the grave dangers facing young girls in Kenya.

A rescue centre set up outside Nairobi 12 years ago by a charity founded by two Kildare people has helped countless victims and continues to thrive, thanks to the hard work of many volunteers.

Rathangan’s Aideen Behan has just returned from a trip with the Cara Projects’ group of 30 volunteers.

“As a volunteer, it is hugely rewarding. The people have such a warmth and humility. They have nothing, but they always have a smile and a hug for you. Giving out the food parcels, it can be quite emotional,” she says.

Cara Projects is an internationally registered charity, working in Kenya, with a focus on child (female) protection.

Through the Cara Girls Rescue Centre, the charity promotes women’s empowerment through vocational training, health promotion, education, gender equality, economic empowerment and sustainable development.

The latest group of volunteers headed out on January 4 and returned on the 18.

Aideen explains, “We were with Cara Projects which set up the Cara Girls Rescue Centre outside Nairobi. It was founded by Paddy O’Connor from Ballysax and Roisin Kelly twenty years ago. They bring two groups of volunteers out twice a year for two week stints, once in January and once in February.

“There were 25 TY students with us and five adults including myself. The group had raised €2,500 per person, which is enough to keep the centre running for a year.

“This covers the cost of 12 to 13 staff, security, the girls education, food, everything, even the woman who runs the farm behind the centre. If extra money is raised it is spent in the community.”

The group were delighted to meet and greet the girls at the centre when they arrived.

“Some of the issues which result in the girls finding refuge at the centre could be early marraige or FGM. The girls also attend the local schools where they get an education,” adds Aideen.

They also recieve speciallist help and counselling before returnign to their families if possible.

During the visit, the charity managed to build three houses, carry out maintenance work and painting at the centre and deliver food parcels to those in need in the local village, Ngong.

The charity is very active in the community and liases with the local pastor to find out which families are most in need.

They use the extra money raised from home to buy food to make up food parcels which they deliver to these homes. Aideen describes how a typical parcel would contain a head of cabbage, bread, flour and a type of rice based flower, tea, sugar, oil and onions.

“We try to buy the food from local people and give back to the local people.”

Aideen outlines the employment options for locals.

“The roads are like dirt roads, people use a lot of taxis which are motorbikes, they use motorbikes for everything, from carrying your load of shopping to a mattress. Everything goes on the back of the bike, so many of the men use them for taxis.

“Some of the men also work with the local builder and that’s really casual work. We pay them to build the houses and that brings work for them.

“The people don’t directly own the land, which is owned by the Masai but they do allow it to be used for houses.

“The Rathangan scouts gave us €800 and the girls fundraised extra money to make up a total of €1,500 which was paid over to build a house for a family in need.

“It’s been raining a lot, which is unsual there, but the climate has been changing everywhere. Their mud houses are being damaged, more than ever before. They are not used to the damp weather.

“The women generally look after the children. Their main aim is to get an education for their children but that costs money. They will try their best to get their children educated. They go to the local school and there are also a lot of boarding schools over there. Once there, their families know they are safe and they are being fed and looked after.”

The farm at the rescue centre sells fish, and they have pigs and hens. People come and buy these items which helps support the centre. The Masai women also sell their jewellery and craft work at the stalls there, and at the markets.

There is also a local playschool for younger children which frees up mothers to take up opportunities such as cleaning work.

At the training centre, women learn to sew, which often leads them to a manufacturing job. If some of them can source a sewing machine, they can sew from home and mind the children at the same time, or make crafts that can be sold.

Volunteers came from all over the country and are divided up into different teams with a leader. .

Aideen travelled with her daughter Aoife, as well as her sister Niamh Gilligan and her daughter Rebecca. Aideen explains how Eadaoin Connolly from Rathangan sourced donations of good condition second hand football boots and GAA jerseys which were given to local children.

“Our huge thanks to everyone young and old who gave generously to this charity, it is much appreciated and gratefully received by all at Cara girls rescue centre and their local community,” adds Aideen. Check out Cara Projects on social media and Janet Deegan’s Facebook page for more information.