Guest post written by Christy Bowersox

Today a photo stopped me in my tracks.

In my work with MGRC, I look at hundreds of photos. Most depict happy children enjoying their lives at the center. But there was something about this photo that stood out to me.

This photo was taken on her very first day at MGRC. Often our intake photos show girls with shy, unsure faces, which is quite normal considering they have left everything they know and people they love.

But not this photo. This photo is, to me, the very heart of rescue.

Look at the smile on her face and how it reaches her eyes. You can almost hear her excited giggle. This is the face of a child who knows she is finally safe. She has escaped the life she was living, abused and forced to work as a housemaid.

Now she will be surrounded by girls who will be like sisters.

Now she will finally get to go to school.

Now she will be cared for by adults who will love her and help her to create a successful life for herself.

This photo captures why I love MGRC and why I volunteer. We really are transforming the lives of these girls. From the very moment of their rescue.

While organizing photos over the years, I have gotten to watch that transformation. From intake photos to graduation photos, it is a joy to watch them grow up from afar. Working with the photos so much has helped me learn each face and name, which came in handy when my family spent two wonderful weeks at MGRC. I adore each precious face and I am so blessed to get to be a small part of helping them to have the lives that they deserve.

If you would like to be a part of rescuing and transforming the lives of beautiful Maasai girls like this one, please consider donating, sponsoring, visiting or volunteering.