On Sunday 1st May 2021, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Mattock paid a visit to the Soila Girls Rescue Centre to deliver maize that had been kindly donated by Kenyan Mara Farmer, Cliff Nolan-Neylan.
The Suswa project was established in 2005 in the heart of the Rift Valley, Kenya, and is a refuge and full time boarding school for Maasai girls at risk of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early arranged marriage, still a tradition and common practice in the Maasai community of Kenya.
With the co-operation of the local Chiefs and community elders, SUSWA provides these girls with a safe living environment where they also receive a high standard of education, as an alternative path in life to FGM and early marriage.
Some girls were able to complete their education in Scotland, in particular one young lady earning a First Class Honours Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Edinburgh University.
In all cases, the girls’ parents/guardians have given their permission for their daughters to embark on this new way of life.
The project has grown significantly over the years and has the capacity to house up to 100 girls aged between 7 and 15.
Mrs. Mattock was gifted with a beautiful handmade beaded Maasai necklace by teacher Linda, the Acting Head of the school and it was placed around her neck by Rose, one of the Suswa girls.
