What an incredible day we just had. I will try my best to put it into words for you....but I think that the pictures will speak louder.
The day started off like every other day.....herding cats!!!! We were told to be ready by 0930, but as it turned out many people showed up without having signed up which meant a 3 hour delay trying to get three extra vehicles. Then because it was so late we stopped for food on the way. We were hoping to be at the Masai village by noon, but we only arrived at 1530. There was grumbling and people were tired when we arrived as we had spent 2 1/2 hours on a dirt road only accessible by 4x4.
On our arrival everyone was dressed, and the men and women were singing and dancing as they walked us into the ceremony. Speeches and more singing and dancing for the next hour.
Then all the women were asked to stand in a line in front of the women entertaining us. At the end they tied a large piece if cloth around our shoulders then they gave us a piece of jewelry. When it was my turn a woman took the bracelet off her own wrist and put it onto mine.
Then it was the men's turn, they all got a different piece of fabric and a necklace.
After this we all went to see the water pump. We were told that the women would walk 10k per day to get water. This water well is serving up to 2000 people from their community. The water is then pumped into a 10,000 liter storage tank, and solar pier is used to pump the water. Then a few meters away there are three stand pipes where the woman can just turn a knob and get the water they require. As a result the women have a lot more time to do other things now that they are not spending all their time walking for water.
We then had a meal all together and hen visited the site of the school that will be built before the three hour drive home. A long day, but so worth every minute. The ceremony was an emotional time for many of us, and we had an opportunity to see and touch these humans half way across the world from us, and know that we have the same needs....to feel accepted, to do what you can for your community and also to show appreciation to others.
Its wonderful when one group can make a such a difference in the lives of another group. I was the recipient of the thanks that goes out to all of you for your generous contributions to these worthwhile projects.
The day started off like every other day.....herding cats!!!! We were told to be ready by 0930, but as it turned out many people showed up without having signed up which meant a 3 hour delay trying to get three extra vehicles. Then because it was so late we stopped for food on the way. We were hoping to be at the Masai village by noon, but we only arrived at 1530. There was grumbling and people were tired when we arrived as we had spent 2 1/2 hours on a dirt road only accessible by 4x4.
On our arrival everyone was dressed, and the men and women were singing and dancing as they walked us into the ceremony. Speeches and more singing and dancing for the next hour.
Then all the women were asked to stand in a line in front of the women entertaining us. At the end they tied a large piece if cloth around our shoulders then they gave us a piece of jewelry. When it was my turn a woman took the bracelet off her own wrist and put it onto mine.
Then it was the men's turn, they all got a different piece of fabric and a necklace.
After this we all went to see the water pump. We were told that the women would walk 10k per day to get water. This water well is serving up to 2000 people from their community. The water is then pumped into a 10,000 liter storage tank, and solar pier is used to pump the water. Then a few meters away there are three stand pipes where the woman can just turn a knob and get the water they require. As a result the women have a lot more time to do other things now that they are not spending all their time walking for water.
We then had a meal all together and hen visited the site of the school that will be built before the three hour drive home. A long day, but so worth every minute. The ceremony was an emotional time for many of us, and we had an opportunity to see and touch these humans half way across the world from us, and know that we have the same needs....to feel accepted, to do what you can for your community and also to show appreciation to others.
Its wonderful when one group can make a such a difference in the lives of another group. I was the recipient of the thanks that goes out to all of you for your generous contributions to these worthwhile projects.
1 comment:
So glad to be a part of this project. Something as simple as water . . . it is hard to imagine when our lives are so easy. Appreciate the photos. I can imagine you were choked up when the presentations began . . .
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