Girls Camp

Kenya, August 2018

A profound title for a camp designed to remove girls from their communities during the traditional tribal FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) cutting ceremonies. This camp allowed the girls an escape from the ritual while also preserving their standing in the community. 

Parents, who had been hiding their girls to protect them, were very grateful and thanked Robert for providing a safe haven while also offering education on topics like feminine health, basic gardening, and the deep love of Christ. 

The opening devotion came from Genesis 17:9–13, inspiring the girls with the knowledge that only men are called to be circumcised—not women. 

96 girls, ages 6-16, attended along with 20 mentors; older adolescent girls who have said “no” to the cutting. A team of 17 social workers and deaconesses carried out the program in a rented school (for sleeping) and nearby church.  

Only a few girls we lucky enough to sleep on beds with nets. Others were on mats on the floor. Thankfully the area had been treated earlier for mosquitos, which can carry malaria. 

Robert would love to someday build a community center with a dormitory on the donated land and have a permeant site for his camps—where all  girls have a bed, blanket and protective net.