The Road After

Usually when I return from a trip, I think fondly of the places I've been and get on with my life.  Not the case with Africa.  I was warned, "Africa gets under your skin."  In fact, several people told me that in the months before we left.  Now I know what it means.

Before we left, our Spiritual Community had decided to undertake a global outreach project.  We didn't know where or what, so when we made our departure Rev. David said, "keep your eyes open for something that might be a fit for us."  I had no clue and no expectations!

Clamian turned out to be the connection we needed.  We evaluated several options, but each one had 40% to 60% of their donations go toward administration.  This was not a good fit for us.  We chose to help the Maasai of Makuyuni because it fit with our objectives and because we could send money directly to Clamian and the Maasai through the Maasai Conservation Fund, which was totally run by volunteers.  This meant that 100% of anything we sent would be put to work to help the Maasai.  A sweet deal!!

Our first undertaking was to fund the brick-maker implement they requested.  Through generous donations both inside and outside of our Community, we wire transferred the money.  Before long we received pictures and a receipt for the purchase of the brick-maker.

 Learning to become "manufacturers" is a whole new way of life for these Maasai Warriors.

The first 2 bricks!!!!

 The site of the brick-maker has become a gathering spot for the villagers

A great start for our first building project -- Nashipay Kindergarten School.