Some of the girls in nativ dress
BEADS sponsored girls at the Moi Secondary School, one of the best private schools in Kenya.
Warriors and BEADS co-founder Debby Rooney preparing placards for the walkathon.
A happy girl receives her shoes for the walkathon.
From BEADS co-founder, Debby Rooney:
There are now 295 girls sponsored through the BEADS program. Many of these girls come from traditional Maasai homes in Kenya and are the first in their families to complete elementary school. The girls are guaranteed school fees until their education is completed - including college - instead of marrying as young as 13 years old. Additionally, the program has eight girls in college - five will graduate in 2008! Each girl spends one year as a teaching intern in the public high schools before she qualifies for college through BEADS. They are often the only teachers in their classrooms. This year there are nine interns and eight more graduating from high school in November.
Twelve lucky sponsors will be joining WALKATHON January 2008. They will be introduced to their sponsored girl, her family, the Maasai community and the beautiful game parks in Kenya. The WALKATHON is a 100km (60 mile) fundraiser for the program. Last year, there were seventy walkers making the trek to support girls education in Kenya -- 12 Americans, Maasai warriors, community leaders and of course the 8th grade girls (38 girls) and eight (8) high school graduates. The girls look forward to the event for years and are amazed by the overwhelming support of their communities to promote girls education. To see warriors carrying signs that say "support girls' education" is a sight to behold.