I have just returned from Namunyak Maasai Welfare and I had an amazing experience. I first arrived in Nairobi and stayed overnight with Junior. Another volunteer, Kit came in at the same time from England. Junior took us to an amazing Ethiopian restaurant for dinner. The next morning we were escorted to the bus station where we rode the bus to Kericho. Emmanuel and his wife Lillian greeted us there and we stayed the night in Kericho with other volunteers. The next morning we headed to the village. Transmara is beautiful. It is very green with many hills. When children hear the car coming, they run to the side of the road to wave to you. We arrived at the house and the boys were assigned to one hut and the girls to another.
Everyday was different. We spent some time at a local secondary school for girls. Carol (another volunteer) and I did a girls empowerment group with one of the classes. We also met with a youth group and a women's group who were both trying to start a business to better their situation and to better the situation for their children. It was very inspiring to see their determination to bring themselves out of poverty. We went to many schools to meet the students and to see the current conditions of the schools. Emmanuel is running for Minister of Parliament so we attended political rallies. We were also able to meet orphans to hopefully get them sponsored when we got home. Emmanuel also took us on a safari at Masai Mara. I never thought I would be so close to lions, cheetahs, elephants and so many more! It is definitely worth the trip.
The Maasai people are wonderful. They were so happy we were there and would always stop to greet us. The children were especially happy and would follow us as we would walk home and would want to shake our hands. Emmanuel and Lillian are very kind and work very hard to give you a wonderful experience.
One of my favorite parts of volunteering was meeting other volunteers. You meet other people who have come from all over the world with a common goal. Everyone I met was wonderful and I plan on keeping in touch with each of them when I go home.
I would highly recommend anyone thinking about volunteering to do it. You will have an amazing experience, one that you will always treasure.
Kara Berneathy
July 2007
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