Santa Rosa Beach women on a mission to help Kenya's girls

Jul 04, 2009 (Walton Sun - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- CFI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Meseno Meshuko is 13 years old and in the 7th grade at her school in Kenya. Meseno has been able to attend school for the past fouryearsthankstoJohndra Culp and Jill Richards.

The Santa Rosa Beach women became involved with the BEADS for Education organization six years ago and Meseno is the second girl the women have sponsored. Without sponsorship, the girls would not be able to attend school. If not in school and educated, girls are married off to older men at a young age -- and the cycle of a hard life is perpetuated.

Culp and Richards, along with the BEADS organization, are on a mission to try to change those prospects for just one girl, at a cost to them of less than $1 a day. The women donate $360 annually to Meseno's education and related costs, which keeps her in school for one year. Without their help, Meseno would be out of school.

BEADS has sponsored girls from 4th grade to college since 1998. Thanks to people such as Culp and Richards, who want to make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate, 320 girls are currently being sponsored through the program, which now boasts three college graduates, two of whom are fully employed and the third is interviewing in the tourist industry. Fourteenofthegirlsarecurrently in college. The class of 2008 high school graduates had 14 girls who have begun an internship teaching grades K-4 in public schools. In addition, they are providing the community with adult literacy on HIV/AIDS.

BEADS was founded in 1991 by Debby Rooney when she went on safari and was moved to do something to help the plight of Kenya's women.

"Educating women is the quickest way to save the environment as it means fewer children with each further year of education. A little bit of help goes a long way and can mean an opportunity for a successful future," said Rooney, who saw mothers of girls selling beads on the streets to enable them to go to school. For Rooney, BEADS stands for Education, Advancement, Development and Success.

Culp and Richards correspond with Meseno through letters and they receive pictures and a copy of her report cards.

"She is a hard worker," said Culp of Meseno. "She is typically in first or second place in her class of 28. In her last letter, she wrote about meeting a woman from the U.S. who encouraged her to become an international lawyer. When I get her letters it is so amazing. Looking at her writing, she's improved so much. It's amazing to be able to help someone. It's exciting to know we are able to help her with her education and she is so grateful!"

Culp and Richards leave July 18 for Kenya, where they will meet Meseno.

"There is work to be done at her school as they are adding new buildings for classes," said Culp. "They are in need of sewing, gardening and art supplies. We are going to donate badminton equipment and erect a court while there. That is one of her favorite sports."

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