By Stacy Harris | Program Manager
To date we have planted out nearly 30,000 trees over 35 acres in the desertified lands of southern Kenya. Your contribution is not only changing the Magadi ecosystem, it also changing the lives of the Masai women and girls who have been inspired by the tree planting program.
The Masai girls are subject to second class citizenship, often doing household duties like fetching water rather than going to school. Less than 40% of the children in Magadi attend school and the number is even lower for girls. Other than the many obstacles they have to overcome, they also have to deal with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which we are working feverishly to stop, and being married off as early as 13 years old. Every Masai woman in our photos has been through this process. “The girls here have nothing. Everything is given to the boys so there is no outlet for the girls just to be girls.” Peter Tingai, Masai Elder
However, due to the success of the women working in the nurseries, the Masai girls have been inspired to become conservationist. They see an opportunity to make a living for themselves and not relying solely on the support of men. The women have been excellent role models for the girls and are proving that we can change the way tradition in Africa neglects women. Since this is the first time in the history of the Shompole Group Ranch Masai that women are allowed to work and participate in leadership, the girls want to seize this opportunity and have their own nursery. In this nursery they will plant fruit and vegetables, along with the trees, and likewise, they will have a place just to be girls.
We are confident that we can reach our goal planting out 100,000 trees by the end of the year. Due to the 10 year drought that Kenya is facing, we have had to overcome many obstacles, water, or course, being the main obstacle. The drought is causing animals to die and people to migrate from their homelands. There are also conflicts between herders over the little grazing land that is left. Last month I met a group of Masai that walked for 12 days from Tanzania, just to find water and grazing land for their cattle.
The lack of rain has caused numerous problems within our camp. We have planted trees at schools, clinics, local businesses and participating farmers lands, yet our plant out site has proven most effective. This site is like an oasis in the middle of the desert. Unfortunately, the giraffe and baboon easily hop the fence and have been eating the trees. Likewise, farmers want to use the fodder (grass) crops to feed their cows and goats. Fortunately, our Masai workers are used to dealing with human and animal incursions and have been doing an excellent job keeping everyone out.
Check out the new video made by Sopranos actor and filmmaker, Turk Pipkin. This video chronicles how your contribution helps change the lives of Masai women. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f81tLgCYddM
Check us out on Facebook and find more information about our programs on our updated website. Also, this is our inhouse video about our vision and mission for Kenya and the rest of Africa. This video was made when former Global Giving Director, Sheila Leonard made a site visit. You will notice her coming out of the “Manyatta”, mud house the Masai live in. By the way, the Masai women not only take care of the houses, but they also build them from scratch. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PENIn30cQE
Thank you for your continued support and contributions. Together we can change the world, ONE TREE AT A TIME!
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