Trees and Water for Masai in Kenya

Kara Wevers is a student who travelled throughout Africa and visited a number of GlobalGiving projects. On March 19th she visited "Reforestation with Masai Communities in Kenya." When asked what she would tell her friends about this project, Kara said "Incredible: You need to see this!"

While I was in Kenya, I met with Stacy Harris of Africa Conservation Trust. At their office, he shared with me the excellent work that they have been undertaking in partnership with the Masai tribe. Together, they are aiming to reverse desertification and create new avenues for income generation by planting fast-growing, soil-enriching trees. I was amazed at how effective their partnership with the Masai people has been, as they train and value them as equals. I saw vibrant pictures and heard real stories of their efforts to marry development in Africa with environmental conservation. I left convinced of the commitment of their staff, the wisdom of their research, and their ability to effectively follow through on their goals.

Africa Conservation Trust also has another innovative project working with coastal communities to rebuild and protect coral reefs. They hope to add another project aimed at wildlife conservation. They are definitely providing a valuable service to the country of Kenya.

Sopranos actor and filmmaker, Turk Pipkin visited our camp in Magadi last week. Turk was able to get excellent footage of our Masai women how they work and the effect their incomes have on their families and community. He was accompanies by Global Inventures President, Deepak Kamlani and his staff. Everyone was impressed at how the "Women Effect" really works. The women get their salaries and the majority is used for taking care of their families, thus making your contributions go even longer. Anise Kamlani simply stated "This is the greatest day of my life"!

We have added another Masai woman to our staff, giving us a total of 4 women working. This feat is one of a kind in the Masai community and promted Turk to want to make a video about how the impact of women in rural communities working makes an even greater impact on the community. The Masai women have demonstrated that they are more than capable of doing a "man's" work.

ACT, Turk and Deepak were entertained by the Kramatian Masai school, a school that plants out our trees. We all decided to assist the school by sending the boys and girls to a festival in Nairobi, in which they will compete against schools all across Kenya. Wish them luck!

We have planted out hundreds of new trees in the community, with thanks to a partner lending us their landcruiser. Getting trees to the locations is an obstacle, but thanks to our new partner we will be able to plant out even more trees during the summer months.

We also attended the Africa premier of Turk's new movie "One Peace at a Time" It was a great film and the special guest was President Obama's sister, Auma Obama. Turk was so impressed with our Masai women that he has vowed to return and film a full half documentary on the Masai women in our nursery. Also, he is creating a special 4 minute film for GlobalGiving which you will be able to see soon.

Likewise, our trees continue to grow fast especially since we have had some unexpected rains. Trees planted only a year ago, now reach nearly 20 feet. Turk is 6' 7'' tall so we have made a new term for measuring trees, we call it a "Turk". If the tree is one Turk tall it is doing well, but if it is 2 Turks tall, it is doing fantastic.

Thank you for all your continued support and contributions. Your are truly making a difference in the Masai community in southern Kenya. Masai women now have more incomes to get their children to school and clinics, but most importantly, they are becoming independent as far as feeding their families. With over 10 million people in Kenya starving, this is an amazing feat.