Growth and Reflection Archives | Maasai Girls Rescue Center

Massai girls walking into the culture center at MGRC ecoLodge

Investing in the Future: The Larson Foundation’s Impact on MGRC

December 2, 2024 Growth and Reflection

The Larson Foundation, established in 2012, is dedicated to being a catalyst for meaningful change. Communities around the world, including Maasai Girls Rescue Center, have been positively impacted by the Foundation’s contributions. Its mission, Empowering All to Flourish, embraces the transformative power of giving back, while building a future where…...

Growing and Learning: Recent Activities at MGRC

September 19, 2024 Education, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Maasai Culture

Soccer Success and Community Engagement MGRC recently hosted two exciting soccer matches, where our girls competed against local children’s centers. The girls had a blast participating in the games, thanks to the coaching of our dedicated employees, Ernest and Diana. Beyond soccer, they also enjoy other sports like netball and…...

Meet the newest team members at MGRC ecoVillage

May 30, 2024 ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection

MGRC was founded by one person with a vision but has since grown with the support of generous contributors, sponsors, and local residents. The organization has formed strong connections with the community and talented individuals from Tanzania who share its principles. Today, the entire MGRC enterprise is managed by these…...

A group picture of the girls on Easter morning

Maasai Girls’ ecoVillage Update: Catching Up on the Last 4 Months

May 4, 2024 ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Maasai Girls

Journal Entry by Rick Morro This year has been flying by and there are so many things to catch up on. Here’s what’s been happening the last 4 months. Community celebration At the very end of December, we held our annual community celebration. It was a wonderful time to share…...

2023 Year in Review, Part Two: Education and Development

February 19, 2024 ecoVillage, Education, Growth and Reflection, Maasai Girls

In our last post we talked about how 2023 brought the huge blessing of completing and moving to our new location. There is something special about finally being home and we are delighted to report that the girls are doing exceptionally well! We remain committed to our goal of equipping…...

2023 Year in Review Part One: Our New Home

February 8, 2024 ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection

We couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and gratitude for all that we have achieved together. Your unwavering support gave the girls of MGRC their best year yet! And so we want to take a moment to reflect on all of the amazing things that happened in 2023.…...

Life-changing trip reveals sustainable practices creating a brighter future

November 17, 2023 ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection, Guest Posts

Guest post by: Greg Scheu I just returned from a life-changing trip to Tanzania. This wasn’t my first trip to Africa. I had visited in past years, both with my previous multi-national employer, and with the U.S. Federal Government on U.S. to Africa trade missions. I had seen the beauty…...

MGRC girls sitting outside their new home with their house mothers

ecoVillage update: Maasai girls settle into their new homes

October 14, 2023 ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Maasai Girls

The girls have now moved into their new homes! The journey hasn’t been easy, but the joy of the girls makes it all worth it. Back in July 2022, we were informed that we had to leave the hotel we were occupying by January 2023, which was a much shorter…...

Maasai Girls Rescue Center needs a few good sponsors. Are you one of them?

August 4, 2023 Growth and Reflection, Guest Posts, Maasai Girls

A big part of the girls’ lives at MGRC is their sponsors. It means so much to know that someone on the other side of the world loves and cares about them....

six girls sitting in front of their birthday cakes

The importance of birthdays at MGRC

July 15, 2023 ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Maasai Girls

Most of the girls who come to MGRC have no knowledge of their birth dates. They don’t have birth certificates and have never had the chance to celebrate their birthdays. A lot of them were born in their bomas, enduring the tough conditions in which they entered the world. To…...

5 MGRC girls in their uniforms standing in row outside their school

Moving to a new school

May 5, 2023 Education, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

One of the biggest blessings of the move to our permanent location is the new school the girls are attending. It is significantly better than the last, with teachers that are more engaged and more opportunities for growth and leadership. And the girls are thriving. ...

Happy Spring!

April 8, 2023 ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

It is a season of change, and here at MGRC we are seeing great change, as well. Though we are not yet where we want to be, we are better than where we were. Life here is rarely linear, but often a series of two steps forward and one step…...

2022 in review

March 16, 2023 ecoFarm, ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection, Sustainability

The girls’ health and well-being is the best measure of our success at Maasai Girls Rescue Center. And by this standard, we had an awesome in year! The girls continue to thrive and surprise us in wonderful ways. That said, we faced several unanticipated challenges and disappointments in 2022; but with…...

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

January 2, 2023 ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

The girls had a great Christmas and are enjoying their winter break! We hosted a Christmas celebration that was attended by the local government officials, neighbors, our staff and, of course, our girls....

Life in Tanzania is never dull

November 18, 2022 ecoFarm, ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Sustainability

Life in Tanzania is never dull, but some times are harder than others. Currently Northern Tanzania is in a serious drought. Our electricity comes from a hydro dam and the water level has been very low this year....

Momoi (center holding microphone) was able to use her language skills to translate her friends' testimonies at the Community Celebration. She speaks Maa, Swahili and English.

Impact comes from action

July 17, 2022 ecoVillage, Education and Sustainability, Growth and Reflection, Sustainability

Life in Africa, much like the rest of the world, is beginning to return to “normal” post pandemic. Tourism is on the rise and hotels in Karatu are filling up....

Challenges are what make life interesting

May 20, 2022 ecoFarm, ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Maasai Culture

I am thrilled to share with you that the security wall is complete! Thank you to everyone who generously contributed to this crucial first step towards completing the ecoVillage....

2022 is shaping up to be a big year!

March 29, 2022 ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Sustainability

Elisante and I have been keeping busy with the wall construction, adding new staff members and planning for future projects here at MGRC....

2021: A year of miraculous transformation for MGRC

January 18, 2022 ecoFarm, ecoVillage, Education, Growth and Reflection, Sustainability

A year ago this month, we began a seven-hour journey from our old home in Longido to our new home near Karatu....

A Very Merry Christmas

December 23, 2021 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

Christmas in Tanzania is celebrated differently. It's much more subdued than an American or westernized Christmas....

My Stateside Visit: Food, Fundraisers, Family and Friends

September 30, 2021 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Volunteering

Well, after two years and a global pandemic, I finally made it back to visit my family and friends. I did not realize how much I missed while living in Tanzania....

New rescued girl, ecoFarm update, dedication ceremony delayed

April 30, 2021 ecoVillage, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

I’ve been told that some people might be interested in knowing how I spend my time while “vacationing” for the last 9 years in Africa. 😉 So, I thought I would keep a weekly journal of my day-to-day activities here at the Center and share them with you. Last week…...

Meet Elisante Loi Laizer, MGRC’s new on-site manager!

April 2, 2021 Community and Culture, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

I have been working on finding the right person for this position for quite some time and it hasn’t been easy. This new position would include handing off management of the staff which, as you may know, would be one of the hardest things for me to let go. But…...

An extraordinary journey to a sustainable future

February 27, 2021 Education and Sustainability, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

52 girls. 14 adults. 6 cows. 70 mattresses and 30 bunkbeds. Furniture, hundreds of boxes of clothing, kitchen goods and other belongings. On January 30, the precious people, animals and cargo of the Maasai Girls Rescue Center made our way over rutted, muddy roads and steep mountain passes on a seven-hour journey from our old home in Longido to…...

2020 Year in Review

February 5, 2021 Education, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Sustainability

2020 was a watershed year for MGRC After going through tremendous growth in 2019, we shifted our focus last year to sustainability. We did a lot of work behind-the-scenes putting processes in place to make us more efficient to ensure our high quality of care for the girls for many…...

A Christmas to remember

December 30, 2020 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

In Tanzania, Christmas is more about celebrating the birth of Jesus and less about exchanging gifts or Santa Claus. This year was no different. We attended church, sang hymns, and enjoyed a special holiday meal together. What was different was when a couple of donors asked me if they could…...

Feeling thankful even in a challenging year

November 25, 2020 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

2020 has been a difficult year, no further explanation necessary on that topic. When everything you see is negative, I would like to take a moment to share a few things I am thankful for… 1) Proof the Program is working: Words cannot describe how thankful, grateful, and overwhelming proud…...

Thanks for an amazing 2019!

January 14, 2020 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Volunteering

First, I would like to personally thank all of our behind-the-scenes and in-person volunteers for their time and support to the Maasai Girls Rescue Center. Because of their generosity and the generosity of so many new and faithful supporters, we were able to surpass our critical year-end fundraising goal and…...

Returning from my Trip to the States

September 19, 2019 Growth and Reflection, Guest Posts, Journal Entries, Sustainability, Volunteering

I have been back in Longido, Tanzania for a couple weeks now. During my trip to the States, we received commitment to sponsor 8 more girls. We also raised some funds to cover our short-term care of the unsponsored girls. We still have 13 more sponsorships to cover, and have…...

And then there were 33

May 10, 2019 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Sustainability

I am sitting here wanting to share many activities that have been going on in the life of MGRC. I always state that I am not the best writer in the world. I have been asked to do video messages as my gift for gab is better than my writing…...

Why I have to turn people away every week and how I plan to overcome it

April 19, 2019 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Maasai Culture, Sustainability

It has been a very busy and interesting couple of weeks. MGRC is currently at capacity renting the LOOCIP hostel and facilities. The government brought four girls last week to us who they are protecting from forced marriage. Even though we are full, Sayuni who just had thyroid surgery is…...

2019 is Starting off Great

January 15, 2019 Education, Growth and Reflection

I was reminded that I have not blogged in a while. It is because we have been so busy with the girls’ school break, the Christmas holidays and school shopping for the girls. 2019 is starting off great with many good things happening at MGRC. We now have 23 girls…...

With your help, our journey continues

December 29, 2018 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

2018 has been a year of tremendous growth for MGRC, and a lot of great things are happening. My goal for this project is to offer Maasai girls and the Maasai village a path to break a debilitating cycle of child-mortality, extreme poverty, FGM, and abuses of child-marriage. Your support…...

Why I’m asking for goats for Christmas

December 21, 2018 ecoFarm, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Sustainability

Raising goats at our center will provide sustainable food source for our girls. I believe in this sustainable project and as with everything I do I weigh the short and long term benefits – this project will make a lasting impact. Goats thrive very well in our climate and our…...

Upon My Return

December 11, 2018 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

I returned from my annual visit to the States. It was a great time visiting family and friends. Everyone back home is doing well. It is great to see how grown-up my grandchildren are getting. My daughter’s oldest is now 16. Time really does fly by. It is a reminder…...

Our First Year’s Accomplishments & Help from Unexpected Places

August 24, 2018 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, The beginning of MGRC, Volunteering

Our first year’s accomplishments MGRC is gaining traction and with any growth it is not always smooth sailing but the rewards are worth it. MGRC has just celebrated its official one year anniversary and we have learned a lot. Our first year’s accomplishments started with two girls last year and…...

It is Good

July 30, 2018 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, The beginning of MGRC, Volunteering

It is good yet challenging at times My friend’s deaf son was a passenger on a motorcycle when it was run off the road into a deep ditch. There were three people on the motorcycle. The driver lost a foot, my friend’s son has a broken leg and the third…...

The New Beginning

July 2, 2018 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Maasai Culture, Sustainability, The beginning of MGRC

The New Beginning The girls have just finished with a month-long school break. Each girl got a chance to visit with their families during the break. There was a few tears when some of the younger ones returned after being with their families. The girls all have adjusted to being…...

It is all in how it is said

June 4, 2018 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Sustainability, The beginning of MGRC

It is all in how it is said Communication is critical when trying to work with people. A team member must be able to communicate effectively if the work or project is to be completed successfully. I am a problem in this area. I have been in Tanzania living in…...

It Takes Time To Understand

May 25, 2018 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, The beginning of MGRC

It Takes Time to Understand Well things are moving ever so slowly but they are moving. I am constantly learning how much I do not know about the Tanzanian, African, and Maasai cultures. I am trying but some days are easier than others. The biggest problem I have is language,…...

It is Just a Little Different

May 4, 2018 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Maasai Culture, The beginning of MGRC

It it just a little different Well, it is just a little different. I have been here for over two years and I sometimes think I understand the differences in mine and the Tanzanian culture. If I learned anything, it is that I really don’t appreciate the real differences. I…...

One Day at a Time

May 1, 2018 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, The beginning of MGRC

I have been back in Tanzania for over four weeks now. It is a bit stunning that in some ways it seems I never left and in another way, as if I just got here. I really enjoyed my visit with family and friends. This was my second trip back…...

Returned from Much Needed Vacation

April 5, 2018 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Maasai Culture, The beginning of MGRC

Returned from much needed vacation I returned from a much needed vacation on the 3rd of April, a 30 day vacation in the States. It was great seeing family and friends. I was getting burned out with the constant grind of trying to help a people who have been conditioned…...

Visiting Family and Friends back in the States

March 16, 2018 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

I am back in the States visiting family and friends. It is great to see my children and grandchildren. A hot shower has been the other highlight of this trip. My daughter is feeding me too much but says I can diet when I return to Tanzania. I will need…...

Preparing for the Trip Back to the States

February 28, 2017 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

I am in Arusha making final preparations for my trip back home. I have had the privilege of meeting and working with an NGO in Arusha that takes at risk babies and cares for them until they can find suitable parents to adopt them. The organization is called Neema House (Arusha).…...

The Great Adventure

February 24, 2017 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, The beginning of MGRC

Sunday was a good day for me despite setbacks in our projects. I took a break and went to Arusha, spending the night before returning to the boma. To reach home, I took a challenging dirt road after Namanga, but since there had been no rain for over two months,…...

Three Weeks until I visit my family

February 9, 2017 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

I am in Arusha today so I thought I would take advantage of faster internet and send another note. The drought continues. People are working hard to keep their livestock upright but the real need is for rain. The local bore holes are rationing their water as the wells are…...

Challenges and new NGO partnership

February 6, 2017 Community and Culture, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Maasai Culture

This week has been quite interesting. It had its share of highs and a few lows. Each day seems to present more challenges than the previous one. Perhaps I’m starting to feel tired or simply missing my family and friends. Despite having lived here for a while and believing that…...

Sometimes it is difficult

January 22, 2017 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

I am in Arusha so I am able to send this note. Things are getting better in some ways anymore difficult in others. I now can access email on the web browser from my house, provided I sit at the window and point the modem towards naming. Not the easiest…...

The new year

January 3, 2017 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

I am writing this from my house in the pages word application software on my Mac. I will try and cut and paste when I get on line and can access my blog. Since I am not a techie I am not sure if it will work but it is…...

Better late than never

November 20, 2016 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

It has been a while since I have blogged. Many of my friends, ok, two of my friends have given me a hard time about not writing. I can not write from the Boma where I live, the internet connection is not strong enough for me to connect to this…...

A tough place to raise children

October 23, 2016 Community and Culture, Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries, Maasai Culture

It is the dry season in the area I am staying. It has only rained once in the last six months. The Maasai live off the cattle, goats and sheep they raise on their Bomas. Water is scarce, with a few run off dams still holding some water. This water…...

A new beginning

October 7, 2016 Growth and Reflection, Journal Entries

Well today is a good day. I officially received my new Tanzanian Residence Permit. I originally came to Tanzania to work as a volunteer for a church funded NGO. That did not work out as I expected so I reapplied through a new organization which a Tanzanian friend and I…...