Changing the Life Trajectory of Kenya’s Most Vulnerable Girls and Young Women
Kenyan girls at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced child marriage (FCM) marriage have a safe haven - and brighter future - in Kenya’s Maasai region. Since 1997, Mission With A Vision has rescued, kept safe, educated more than 3,500 girls and young women fleeing FGM and FCM. During that time, most of those frightened girls have grown up, with Mission With A Vision’s education and vocational training support, to become independent women who, by example, are helping to break the cultural norms that support genital cutting and child marriage.
In 2004 the first safe house opened in Narok, accommodating 12 girls. By 2007, 33 children were living in a house built for 12. Donor support fortunately allowed building a bigger safehouse, and in 2014 the 60-capacity House of Hope opened in Narok. A second rescue centre was built in 2023 in Nairaisrasa village, with the two comfortably housing 100 girls, and allowing over 3,500 girls and young women to receive refuge.
Girls arriving at the safehouse receive immediate safety and security, medical care, shelter, food - and community and emotional support. The average stay at the Safe House and MWAV involvement is approximately four years, it can also, according to Patrick, vary greatly from a few days to 12 years.
Once secure and stable at the centre, the girls have the choice of going to school - primary, junior high school, high school, and even college, via a boarding school scholarship. Those who choose not to pursue education enter a vocational training program.
The number of girls needing safe space keeps growing as more and more girls and young women become aware that they have a right to say no to FGM and Forced Child Marriage, and that they have a place where they can find safety, and a future.
Mission With A Vision is a non-profit organization in Narok, Kenya. We help every girl escaping Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early forced marriage the chance to pursue her goals and realize her potential.
Breaking Barriers, Building Futures
Our mission is to give every girl escaping female genital mutilation and forced early child marriage an equal opportunity to pursue their goals in life, to realize their unique potential.
What We Do
In Narok, Kenya’s Maasai region, girls at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced early childhood marriage (ECM) have a place to turn. Since 1997, Mission With A Vision has rescued more than 3,500 girls and young women, providing safety, education, and the tools to shape their own futures.
Many arrive with little or no formal education, yet they go on to become independent, educated women who challenge harmful traditions and advocate for change within their communities. By engaging families, community leaders, religious figures, and especially teenagers, we aim to foster an environment where FGM and ECM practices are socially unacceptable.
At Mission With A Vision, we focus on:
•- Providing a safe space where girls can heal and continue their education
- Equipping them with skills through vocational training and income-generating projects
- Offering emotional and social support to help them thrive through counselling
- Encouraging reconciliation with the families of the girls when possible and desired
This is a movement led by the very people affected by these issues. Girls and women are reclaiming their futures, reshaping their communities, and ensuring that the next generation will have greater freedom and opportunity.
© 2025 In collaboration with The New School