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About Us

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.

Grace and Gladwell after the rescue
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Our Team

Gladwell, founder of Girls Hope

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)!

Dee and Gladwell

GHRM BOARD

                 Trudy Tyler Barnes
                      Development Officer

Born in Walla Walla, Washington, USA
  • 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, Calif.

Trudy loves hiking and camping in nature, and lives near the canyons and mountains of American Fork, Utah, with her husband, Gary. Together they have 7 children and 19 grandchildren. Trudy’s desire is to bring her training and gifts to support the education, development and safety of the beautiful young women in Gladwell’s Girls Hope Rescue Mission

                         Des Schaefer 

                             Partnership Officer

Our daughter lives in Kenya so we love the people of Africa.  I have started clinics for health care 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 help not only her girls but her entire society.
              Debbie Augustine

                   Social Media Officer

Debbie is a passionate preschool teacher who finds joy in her family, education, music, gardening, and creativity. Having lived and traveled in various countries, [Name]’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.

                    Jaimi Augustine
                         Social Media Officer

Jami received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Utah Valley University. She spent over 4 years understanding social media trends, competitor analysis, and marketing strategies. She is passionate about using her knowledge to contribute 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!

                         Mary Ann Strong

                            Fundraising Director

Mary Ann was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and comes from a family of six children. Her mother, who had polio, raised the family from a wheelchair. Mary Ann graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Child Development and Family Relations and pursued a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. She is married to her husband, Brian, and together they have a blended family of 11 children, with their last two children adopted from Kazakhstan. The couple is also blessed with 26 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Throughout her career, Mary Ann has been deeply involved in education, initially overseeing the arts and music program in elementary schools, teaching piano, and later serving as the executive director for Art Works for Kids. In this role, she successfully secured funding from the state legislature and worked to restore arts programs in elementary schools across Utah. Mary Ann has also been politically active, playing a key role in the incorporation of Millcreek City and supporting good candidates for election. She has helped secure funding for various important projects, including suicide prevention initiatives and the creation of wholesome family films. She is excited to be part of Gladwell and the Girls Hope Rescue Mission, where she continues her commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. 

                      Daniela Izatt
                 Program Health Advocate
 

Daniela Izatt was born 40 years ago in Italy, where she was raised in an impoverished community deeply affected by the aftermath of WWI and WWII. Her family’s struggles with poverty, insecurity, and the scars of war shaped her upbringing, instilling in her a love for learning and a desire to help other families overcome their own challenges. Determined to build on the strengths passed down to her, Daniela pursued further education, recognizing the transformative power of lifelong learning.

After moving to the United States, Daniela earned a bachelor’s degree in the School of Family Life and a master’s degree in Social Work from Brigham Young University. Her education has empowered her to assist individuals and families dealing with addiction recovery, trauma, mental illness, grief, and PTSD, particularly among military veterans. Currently, Daniela works to strengthen youth at a local public middle school in Cedar City, aiming to guide others in healing, changing life trajectories, and nurturing their families.

Daniela believes in the power of collaboration and teamwork, understanding that when people come together, they can achieve far more than they can alone. This is why she is grateful to be part of the Girls Hope Rescue Mission, contributing to this impactful cause. Outside of work, Daniela enjoys homesteading with her husband, daughter, and affectionate dogs, spending time with friends, enjoying nature, and taking spontaneous family road trips.

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

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