Happy New Year from WGEP!

We hope you had a restful end to 2024 and are looking forward to a fruitful year ahead. As we begin 2025, we're reflecting on our most impactful year yet and are excited to share some incredible milestones with you.

845 Girls Empowered Through ARP

This December, thanks to your generous support, 845 girls participated in the Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) program, saying No to female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/c).

Girls in Tharaka, Kenya participate in ARP.

In Kenya, FGM/c is often a traditional rite of passage into adulthood, but it leaves girls vulnerable to dropping out of school and early marriage. WGEP partners, Tharaka Women’s Welfare Programme (TWWP) and Hope for Girls @ VISA (HFGV) offer a safer alternative for girls, where they can celebrate adolescence while learning about the harmful effects of FGM/c, reproductive health, personal hygiene, communication skills, decision-making, and confidence building.

A Message from Hope for Girls @ VISA

This year, demand for ARP programs in Migori County was higher than anticipated, as the practice of FGM began earlier than expected. In response, we launched an emergency fundraising effort to meet the increased need. Thanks to your support, HFGV hosted over 400 girls for five weeks of ARP programming, protecting them from the dangers of FGM and equipping them with essential life skills.

We are pleased to announce three new members of our Board of Directors! Please join us in welcoming Hafsa Mahmood, Alex Mbuthia, and Bridget Richter. Each brings a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to our mission, and we are excited to have them on board as we continue to advance our work in 2025. Learn more about each of them below!

Hafsa brings over 20 years of experience in Marketing, Communications, Strategy, and Journalism. She also published several Little Birdies Stories Children's books with her sons about diversity, self-identity, teamwork, and unity. Born and raised in the Chicago area, she is passionate about our future's next generation having all the tools and resources they need to be our next leaders. She also loves photography, music, running, traveling and spending time with her family. 

Alex is an accomplished risk management professional born in Nairobi, Kenya. He is an Associate Director in Protiviti’s Risk and Compliance practice, advising financial institutions on risk management and regulatory compliance. Alex holds an MBA and a B.Sc. in Operations Management & Information Systems from Northern Illinois University and a B.A. in Political Science & Public Administration from Panjab University. He is passionate about leveraging his expertise to empower girls through education and make a global impact.

Bridget is excited to be part of WGEP! She lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband and son. Together, they enjoy traveling and immersing themselves in new places and cultures. Bridget is an accomplished commercial leader who works for contract manufacturing organizations in the medical device industry. Bridget holds an MA in Organizational Management from Concordia University, St. Paul, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Please join us in giving them a warm welcome!

Remembering Lucy Ascoli

With heavy hearts, we remember and celebrate the life of Lucy Ascoli, a longtime WGEP supporter, friend, and cherished member of our community who recently passed away. Lucy’s unwavering dedication and generosity have left an indelible mark on our organization and the communities we serve.

Lucy was more than a supporter; she was a true champion of our mission, having been awarded the WGEP Impact Award in 2022. Her commitment to girls’ education inspired us all, and her contributions were instrumental in advancing our programs.

Those who had the privilege of knowing her will forever remember her warmth, kindness, and vision. Lucy’s legacy lives on in the impact she made and the brighter futures she helped create in Chicago, Boston, and around the world.

As we reflect on her remarkable life, we extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and all who are mourning this profound loss. In honor of Lucy’s memory, we are committed to carrying forward the values and work she held so dear.

Lucy’s light will continue to shine in the work we do and the lives we touch. Thank you, Lucy, for everything. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.