Frequently Asked Questions

MGRC operates on a unique model that emphasizes long-term financial independence and self-determination for girls. Instead of permanent charity, we employ an entrepreneurial approach, empowering young women to become catalysts for lasting generational change within their communities, aligning with their individual interests, talents, and abilities.

Research indicates that despite good intentions, traditional government aid and many conventional charitable organizations have often fallen short in effectively reducing poverty in Africa. Such initiatives can inadvertently increase reliance on handouts, diminish self-esteem, and undermine local industries. MGRC champions an entrepreneurial approach, focusing on replacing cycles of poverty with sustainable financial autonomy, which shows genuine potential for breaking the cycle of poverty.

Yes, we highly value and respect many Maasai tribal traditions and believe it’s important for the girls to remain connected to their heritage. We arrange for a grandmother to teach traditional bead making weekly, and our House Mothers teach traditional Maasai songs and dance. In addition to providing school uniforms, athletic wear, dresses, underwear, shoes, socks, and personal items, we also provide new Maasai shukas (traditional dresses). Unlike the customary practice in the bush where old shukas are passed down, our girls receive new ones, a rare experience for them. Meals also incorporate traditional Maasai foods, supplemented with fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein sources from our farm and garden.

In Tanzania, “the bush” refers to remote areas located at least 30 kilometers from any paved road. These areas typically lack basic amenities such as water, electricity, shops, schools, and villages. They are characterized by scattered single mud huts, providing ample space for livestock.

Rick Morro, MGRC’s founder, often takes the girls from the rescue center on supervised visitations to their home bomas (family compounds). These journeys, which can be long and over difficult terrain, are undertaken to help the girls maintain connections with their Maasai tribal traditions and families. During the ride, Rick discusses life in Tanzania, the mission of MGRC, Maasai culture, and the surrounding environment, while the girls often sing in the back. Watch video →

If you have further questions about our mission, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: [email protected].

MGRC has a proven track record of efficient and effective donation use. Our independently audited financial statements and estimated annual budget consistently show that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to the care of the girls. This is possible because our Founder, President, Board of Directors, Angel Donors, and Marketing/Fundraising team members are all unpaid volunteers, resulting in zero charity management expenses. We promise never to use public donations for administration or fundraising.

Yes, Maasai Girls Rescue Center, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by USA law. A donation receipt will be emailed to you for your records upon donation.

MGRC accepts online stock donations via Stock Donator, a secure and straightforward online service.

To donate:

1. Fill out the stock symbol, number of shares, and search for “Maasai Girls Rescue Center.” The EIN/Tax ID will auto-populate.
2. Provide your personal information to link your donation.
3. Enter your brokerage details. After submission, you will receive a donation receipt via email. MGRC is a 501(c)(3) organization, making donations tax-deductible under U.S. law.

Sponsoring a girl is a transformative experience for both the girl and the sponsor. While it involves a financial commitment throughout her stay at MGRC, sponsorship offers much more: you broaden her perspective on life and instill hope for her future. Sharing your activities and interests helps girls discover new opportunities, and witnessing their joy during a video call or their pride in achievements is deeply rewarding. Essential requirements for a sponsor include a giving heart, a willingness to share life experiences, and the means to support a girl throughout her journey with MGRC.

Our child sponsorships are available on a monthly or annual basis, and can be full or partial. A detailed expense summary is provided on our financial page. Sponsorships cover nutritious food, quality housing, immediate and ongoing medical care, clothing and shoes, school supplies, and education/enrollment fees for a local school. A full sponsorship provides a deserving girl with a comprehensive opportunity for a brighter future. Learn how to become a sponsor →

At MGRC, we essentially “adopt” each girl, raising them with comprehensive care as one would their own child, contrasting with the reality in Africa where many families subsist on less than $3.00 a day. We provide everything a girl needs to reach her full potential:

• Safe Housing: Clean and safe housing with full-time House Mothers who mentor and teach essential life skills.
• Medical Care: Each girl receives a medical check-up upon arrival and ongoing full health coverage, addressing common issues like worms, club foot, fluorosis, ear infections, head fungus, skin disorders, and vision issues.
• Nutrition: A balanced diet is provided, promoting healthy growth and teaching the significance of nutrition for their future families. Full-time cooks prepare meals, including meat, fruits, and vegetables they may not have experienced before.
• Clothing: Comprehensive clothing provisions include school uniforms, athletic tracksuits, dresses for church and after-school, underwear, shoes, socks, and personal items – many of which they have never had. We also provide new Maasai shukas, a traditional dress that, in the bush, is typically old and passed down from fathers to wives, then cut for children. Our girls receive new shukas.
• Cultural Connection: We ensure girls stay connected to Maasai traditions through House Mothers teaching traditional songs and dance, and a grandmother providing weekly bead making lessons.
• Academic Support: Tutors assist girls with homework, study skills, and assignment preparation – practices often new to them. The positive results are evident in their improved school reports. See a breakdown of costs →

As a volunteer, your primary role is to share your culture with the girls at MGRC. This exchange helps broaden their perspectives, offers them hope and opportunity for a brighter future, and empowers them to envision breaking free from cultural norms, poverty, and oppression. Sharing your culture can involve discussions about daily life, plans, and dreams, or engaging in physical activities like teaching volleyball or conversational English at our learning center. We aim for the girls to understand they are responsible for their own future and choices. Learn more about volunteering at MGRC →

Karatu, Tanzania, is in East Africa. We recommend reviewing the Tanzanian Government website for necessary vaccinations, as requirements can vary; it’s best to check several months prior to your visit. Malaria is a possibility due to mosquitoes; your doctor can prescribe preventative medication. We also provide mosquito nets and spray for added protection at night.

Yes, a visa is required to visit Tanzania. It costs around $100 USD and can be obtained upon arrival at the airport or secured in advance. Procedures for obtaining the visa can be found on the Tanzanian Government website.

Our girls come to us through various channels. We conduct community outreach and collaborate with local governments and social workers who refer runaways from forced child marriages, as well as orphaned and abused girls. We also receive desperate grandmothers and mothers seeking a better life for their young girls when they can no longer provide food or medical care. Occasionally, girls arrive at the center on their own. While these girls are among the most vulnerable and at-risk in Tanzania, they quickly thrive and become happy, well-adjusted individuals in the Center’s loving and supportive environment.

While both Maasai boys and girls undergo circumcision, for girls, the term refers to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). These procedures are harsh and performed on children without their consent. For girls, the procedure is significantly more invasive and dangerous, carrying a much higher risk of immediate complications or death. It also results in extreme and long-lasting side effects, including increased risks of complications during childbirth that endanger both mother and baby, and fistulas.

The FGM practiced by the Maasai is classified as Type I by the World Health Organization (WHO), which involves the removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Visit the WHO website for more information →

FGM remains a deeply entrenched Maasai tradition, considered essential for girls to be recognized as women and eligible for marriage, and is generally expected by men for their wives. It is one of the most significant traditions marking a woman’s passage to womanhood. There is also a belief that the procedure reduces sexual urges, thereby minimizing prostitution and pre-marital pregnancies. Uncircumcised girls face severe social stigma, are referred to as “entaapai,” and this negatively impacts their adult lives. For example, an “entaapai” girl cannot enter a boma (family compound) through the regular gate on her wedding day; a temporary gate is created and immediately re-fenced after she passes through, symbolizing a break from tribal practice.

Despite being illegal, approximately 99% of Maasai girls undergo FGM, with some as young as five years old. This practice is a deeply significant tradition symbolizing a girl’s transition to womanhood. The procedure is painful, dangerous, and carries a high risk of complications or death. However, as girls become more educated, they are increasingly aware of their rights and can refuse circumcision. Refusal carries a taboo and harmful social stigma into adulthood, making external support crucial in empowering girls to make this choice.

In Tanzania, about 99% of Maasai girls undergo this procedure. If the father insists, it is extremely difficult for a girl to refuse his orders unless she has a safe place to escape to.

Yes, FGM is illegal in Tanzania. While the government historically tolerated certain Maasai traditions, including FGM and early marriage, they are now more strictly enforcing the law. Enforcement often relies on reports from pastors, school officials, or the girls themselves. There are few safe spaces for rescued girls to escape these traditional abuses. The government may issue a letter and social services will speak to parents, warning of potential arrest if they do not allow the girl to reach the legal marrying age. However, effective protection from FGM is largely dependent on the girl having a safe place to run away to.

While difficult, refusal can occur. Educated girls are learning about their rights and the possibility of refusal. Some families, primarily a minority of Christian families, choose not to conform to community expectations and allow their girls to decide. These families sometimes have a mix of daughters who have and have not undergone the procedure.