The S.H.E. Fund

The S.H.E. Fund was inspired by the courageous and dedicated girls of the Tasaru Rescue Center in Narok, Kenya. Also known as the V-Day Safe House, the refuge was created in 2002 by Agnes Pareyio, a Maasai visionary, in collaboration with V-Day, to help Maasai girls escape the tribal traditions of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early childhood marriage, and to provide them with primary and secondary education, a right denied women in the Maasai tradition. Every year six to ten girls from the Safe House graduate secondary school. Each has been reconciled with her parents in a beautiful ceremony that includes villagers from miles around. She has transformed her family and community by becoming the first female in her village to complete high school and return to the community an empowered young woman. The S.H.E. Fund is the next step, offering support for college to those students who choose to continue with their education. Those currently supported by the S.H.E. Fund are studying Early Childhood Education, Business, Accounting, Nursing, Community Development, Medical Technology and Peace and Conflict Resolution. They will emerge from these programs with the skills and maturity to make their way in the world, and, by their example, break to the cycle of oppression in their communities.