Najile: Steph's perspective

Ngole (Yesterday), we got to visit Najile for the first time. The drive there was long, rocky and dusty. We were thankful for the low level air conditioning we could turn on, to close the windows and keep out the dust. The sheer vastness of the space was overwhelming. I did not expect so much open, dry, lonely landscape. It saddened me to see a land so worn out by lack of water.

When we arrived at Najile I was disappointed. I was disappointed that we were to live so separate from people. It was such a lonely space. Our house is next to the POMC model farm and church. But no other homes, until down the road in Najile. It’s not a far walk, but I had hoped to be across the street from other homes. In our first conversations with the Maasai, it was overwhelming to understand so little.

I’m not sure how to describe my response to seeing our house in progress for the first time. This house, is to be our home. It’s nice. We have a porch, a kitchen, a dining doom, living room, separate shower, toilet & sink, 2 bedrooms and an office. The bedrooms are tight- with the mistakes in measurement, the bed wouldn’t fit in our bedroom…but after some further discussion, a couple small walls will be knocked down to better use the space. We also have a septic tank, and a water pipeline being constructed for our use. I feel spoiled.

After seeing our house, we set out to see the food-for-work distributions in other areas near Najile. After more dusty driving we came to a site, only to find out that they wouldn’t do the distribution until more people arrived. (Africa time, they weren’t even ready to do the distribution when we came back through) So we drove on to Ewaso, the market town closest to Najile (9 km), through more dusty roads. When we arrived at the distribution site we were greeted by everyone. There was a general excitement over the food distribution, and we hoped that it would help those who were most in need. But how do you really know if the people who need it are getting the food? As the distribution came to an end, we piled into the back of the Land Rover to drive back to Najile for food distribution there.

We gathered for tea with many of the POMC (our local partner) and MFSP (Maasai Food Security Program) leaders, in addition to our group (Ron & Martha- country directors, Emily- phd student studying MCC, & Daniel- Maasai Food for Work program coordinator). The Najile assistant chief, Beatrice was there. We both were slower at drinking our tea (thus left alone to talk) and I enjoyed talking with her. She is passionate about helping Maasai women and sees her role as empowering them through education. I look forward to working with her more.

We went out to join the distribution. Matt & Martha had gone to make changes with the house, Emily & I were recruited to handout food. I gave out the cooking fat “etala” (ay-tall-ah), Emily & 2 others gave out the beans “imposho” and 2 others gave out the maize flour “enkurma”. I was happy being there. Not because I was giving needy people food, but because I was in a community of people who welcomed us here. As soon as they learned we would be living among them, they gave hugs, handshakes and repeated words of welcome. They got excited every time I spoke anything in Maasai. I understood some of the things they said to each other. (yay!) When we went for lunch with the POMC leaders, again they affirmed our progress in learning Maasai. Elizabeth said that before she knew who we were, she thought we were the ones to live in Najile, because of our Maasai language skills. That felt good. Everyone gladly helped us and cheered every attempt we made in Maasai. Instead of feeling like outsiders, I felt like we were valuable new additions to the community. As we drove away, our house didn’t seem so lonely anymore.