ABOUT THE GIRLS HOPE RESCUE MISSION
The Girls Hope Rescue Mission was created to offer a safe refuge and a chance for freedom and education for the young girls in Kenya.
Girls often have a bleak future, especially in the rural areas of Kenya. They can be sold as child brides, sometimes as young as 10 or 11. Their traditions demand that they undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which is a life-threateneing process sometimes causing them to bleed to death but always horribly disfiguring the girls. They are often sold to husbands much older who use them as slaves and if they are disrespectful, they are beaten.
The Girls Hope Rescue Mission is there for girls to escape these evil traditions, to heal, to have an opportunity for a good education, learn skills, and have a future free from the traditions that hold them in fear They can be protected, safe, and turn their energies to improving their lives They find hope for the future and companionship with the other girls surrounding them who are full of hope and free to pursue their dreams.
Our Mission
By providing a safe and secure environment, we will rescue, empower, and educate young girls and women in Kenya to give them the skills they need for success. We believe that through education these individuals can gain knowledge that is vital for their development both now and into the future.
Let us strive to build a peaceful world where all women and girls are liberated from Gender-Based Violence.
The Story Behind The Name:
HOPE
The name Hope in Girls Hope Rescue Mission was carefully chosen to symbolize the organization’s core belief in the transformative power of hope in the lives of young girls. For many of these girls, life has been filled with suffering and oppression, yet Hope represents the possibility of a better tomorrow—one free from abuse, fear, and exploitation. It is a beacon that guides them toward healing, education, and empowerment. Hope is not just a word; it is a promise to these girls that, through love, support, and opportunity, they can rise above the challenges they have faced and build a future they never thought possible. At its heart, Hope serves as the foundation of the mission, reminding both the girls and the supporters that change is possible and that every girl deserves the chance to dream, grow, and thrive.
Our Team
Gladwell Wachira
Founder and Director – Hope Center for Girls in Kenya
Chairwomen – Womens Board Girls Hope Rescue Mission in the USA
She has dedicated herself to making a difference in the lives of young girls since her own childhood. With passion and bravery, she has continued fighting for justice against issues such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child brides, sex trafficking, and rape. Through her tireless efforts, she has managed to save over 400 girls between 4 and 17 from these horrible injustices. Now with more than 100 girls at her center who are safe under her wings, Gladwell is devotedly focused on providing them with protection while also giving them a chance at pursuing brighter futures.
Gladwell is devoted to offering support and care for these vulnerable children through shelter, education, medical attention, and emotional healing. In addition, she strives to build a bridge of understanding in the community toward addressing the core issues that plague this population. Ultimately, her objective is to manifest a society free from violence or exploitation against women and children so everyone can thrive peacefully with harmony at its heart.
Dee G. Atkin
President – Girls Hope Rescue Mission in the USA
Dee is an entrepreneur who came to Kenya and had his life transformed by the work Gladwell was doing in rescuing young girls. Dee has spent years working to create vocational training opportunities for at risk young men in the USA. As President his focus is to reproduce Gladwell’s successful approach to protecting and empowering female youth across many more regions within Kenya, and creating systems to prepare young men to be good husbands to all our Butterflies (that is what Gladwell calls her girls – they all call her mum)!
GHRM BOARD
Trudy Tyler Barnes
– Church Organist from age 16 to the present.
– Sang Alto for five years with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah.
– Music BA, Brigham Young University
– Taught Suzuki Method Piano lessons, private studio.
– Retired Licensed Massage Therapist, Cranial Sacral Therapist, and Abuse Trauma/Emotion Processing Therapist
– Studied the Dream Interview Method, Delaney-Flowers Dream Center, San Francisco, California.
Mary Ann Strong
Mary Ann, a Salt Lake City native, was raised in a family of six by a mother who raised them from a wheelchair due to her polio condition. This upbringing helped shape her dedication to family and service. She earned a degree in Child Development and Family Relations and pursued a Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling from Brigham Young University. Mary Ann and her husband, Brian, share a big family of 11 children, including two adopted from Kazakhstan, and are blessed with 26 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Throughout her career, Mary Ann has been deeply involved in education and the arts. As a former Executive Director for Art Works for Kids, she successfully secured state legislative funding to restore arts programs in elementary schools across Utah. Her influence extends into political and social spheres, where she played a key role in the incorporation of Millcreek City and advocated for funding for suicide prevention initiatives and wholesome family films. She continues her commitment to impactful service through her work with Gladwell and the Girls Hope Rescue Mission.
Debbie Augustine
Debbie is a passionate preschool teacher who finds joy in her family, education, music, gardening, and creativity. Having lived and traveled in various countries, Debbie’s global experiences have broadened her perspective and deepened her empathy, allowing her to be a more compassionate teacher.
As a mother of seven and grandmother to seven grandchildren, Debbie understands the joys and challenges of raising a family. She brings this wealth of knowledge to her work, creating a fun, engaging learning environment where children can explore and develop a love of learning. Her diverse background has taught her the importance of inclusivity and celebrating diversity in the classroom. She believes every child has the potential for greatness and strives to provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed.
Outside of teaching, Debbie enjoys spending time with her family and indulging in her passions for music, gardening, and art, which help her recharge and remain inspired in her work.
Daniela Izatt
Jaimi Augustine
Jaimi received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Utah Valley University. She spent over four years understanding social media trends, competitor analysis, and marketing strategies. She is passionate about using her knowledge to contribute to and bring awareness to such a wonderful cause.
Her love for traveling, other cultures, and people makes her excited to be a part of Girls Hope Rescue Mission. Outside of work, she loves dancing, yoga, and snowboarding.
Des Schaefer
Our daughter lives in Kenya, so we love the people of Africa. I have started healthcare clinics for Indigenous women here and in the Marshall Islands.
The stories of women who have been treated as property or abused have touched my heart. We are happy and glad to help Gladwell with her mission, which will support not only her girls but also her entire society.
Girls Hope Rescue Mission
As a registered non-profit organization in the USA under 501(c)(3) regulations, and also in Kenya as a Community Based Organization (CBO), we are dedicated to ending child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), sex trafficking, and sexual abuse that girls and young women face. Our mission is to create a safe space for those affected by these issues while providing three meals a day, health services, and education with access to the resources they need.
Partners
Girls Hope Rescue Mission is proud to partner with these great companies
