Kenya (MNN) — Kameris Christian School, a partner school of
Worldwide Christian Schools in northern Kenya, was already struggling in a
famine area to feed their overcrowded student body. Yet, when dozens of young girls came seeking
refuge, Kameris opened their doors.
"The school has decided as a Christian school to stand
in the gap for these girls," states WWCS's Dale Dieleman.
In March, ten girls literally ran to the entrance of
Kameris. Dozens more have since followed their lead. Girls between the ages of
10 and 16 flee to Kameris to escape early marriage and female genital mutilation,
or circumcision.
"These girls wanted to escape that. They wanted to come
not just for an education, but to protect themselves. They have seen their
sisters and aunties and other people literally die from these practices."
Three months after the first girls' arrival, their numbers
had climbed to sixty; more girls desperate for escape are arriving daily. Sometimes they barely make it.
"In some cases they have photographs of their
husbands or fathers…actually chasing them right to the door or the gate of the
compound."
WWCS says Kameris not only shares the Gospel with these
girls, but also aims for redemption.
"They're trying to be Christ and represent Christ's
compassion to the girls, but also try to be a point of peace and reconciliation
with the families."
WWCS has been involved with Kameris for several years,
providing money to feed children through their sponsorship program. Now they're
trying to raise money for a new dorm and classroom space at Kameris to accommodate
a growing student body. They aim to raise $40,000 by year's end.
You can help WWCS reach this goal by clicking here.
