We headed to the Rift Valley to meet up with Grace, who takes in orphans and disabled children and gives them an education. She brought us to a Maasai women's group she has been working with, which Give Us Wings has also partnered with. The Maasai are the most famous tribe in Kenya because they have held onto many of their traditional ways--- the "Amish of Kenya" as Will described it.
These are the people who came to meet us when we arrived at the school, some group members, some jewelry hawkers, and some curious children. The tin sheet building is the school where the Maasai women are learning English, Swahili, and Mathematics. They are taught by a woman named Janet who was rescued by Grace because she was disabled when she was born and her parents wanted to hide her away since handicaps are seen as a curse. Grace sent her through primary and secondary school and she returned to her community to teach the other women. She is now highly respected in the community since she is one of the few learned people there. (She is on the far right)
These are Janet's parents, and they remind me of the painting American Gothic. Of course, they are now very proud of her and her father even donated the land for the school.
This is a Maasai man in the traditional brightly-colored plaid cloth. I think it has some sort of Scottish kilt influence?
Some women talking, with their babies on their backs.
This is a traditional Maasai house, made mainly out of sticks and mud.
The Maasai are known for their beadwork and colorful jewelry. Everyone eagerly spread out their "wares" when we arrived, hoping for a sale.
A Maasai woman and her baby.
A very decorated woman.The Maasai thanking us for our visit and saying goodbye.
No comments:
Post a Comment