Dancing with the Maasai

Hey all,

I am just going to stick with quick updates on what I’ve been up to. I feel like otherwise, you will never get any blogs! So…

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of revisiting Oldonyonyokie. After getting up in time to leave at 6am, we hit the road. About three hours and several spectacular views of the Rift Valley later, we pulled up to the school. I was back! What a sweet opportunity. We started by meeting the teachers and touring the school (as the Hazen team and a couple interns had never been before), including the new girls dormitory that they built. This dormitory was definitely a huge accomplishment, but right now it is just a building with about 10 different open rooms. I look forward to seeing it with beds!

Water continues to be a need for the Maasai in Oldonyonyokie (or as we so lovingly call, “Old Donkey”). So after playing with the kids—throwing around Frisbees, blowing bubbles, and chatting about future dreams (such as what they want to be when they grow up, etc.)—we handed out bread and water to all of the students and teachers. The look on some of these kids’ faces…I am telling you…I have no idea when they last had clean water or a small meal, but…I have never seen anyone so happy to have a couple pieces of plain, sliced bread.

So we let them break and eat, and while they did we met the headmaster of the school. We were then surprised with some exciting news…the kids, who have competed among other schools in their area, are now going to Nationals to compete with schools across the nation! (I was serious about them being the best singers and dancers I have seen.) With all of the traditional Maasai attire, they performed three different songs for us. Then…as if it cannot get better…they invite us to dance with them! AND…after laughing my way through and doing my best…they told us that everyone did wonderfully, but “this girl right here…Katelyn” (pointing to me as well as one of the team members) did exceptional. The teachers proceeded to tell me I could be a Maasai and gave me a Maasai name—Naisimoi. The children gave me some of the Maasai attire to try on for photos and giggled at my awkwardness in their tribal accessories.

I will have to put up videos and photos. (We captured it all on film this time!)

Ironically, before we left, the clean water truck arrived. (The leaders at the school had been trying to get this man to come for three weeks!) Our time was coming to a close, so we said our “Kwaheri”s and headed out. We stopped at Counselor Jackson’s to pay our respect to the leader of the community and deliver some water. It was a successful day, and I definitely look forward to going back. J

Pray for rain in the Rift Valley!