Some Pictures from Najile

Najile: Matt's perspective

Matt:

All day I did not feel healthy. My throat was constantly filling with phlegm and as the day wore on I developed a headache. The long, bumpy ride did not help facilitate things. Like Steph, the vast bleakness of the landscape struck me. It was empty and seemingly a weary land for as far as the eye can see. However, whenever we passed shepherds with their cows or goats, life seemed possible. There was much joy in the friendly waves and big smiles. Somewhere, somehow people were surviving even here. Somehow it seems like some people call this place home.

Arriving at the house/church compound was not what I expected. Through some shrubs was our house. In some ways it was further along, and other ways well behind what I had imagined. I was pleased to see how “house-like” the whole thing looked like. The walls were straight, the roof was nicely attached, there were nice grates in the windows and a cute little veranda. The rooms were smaller than I imagined, but I could also pictures this place being a snug warm place to be.

The stop to see food distribution at Ewaso was most useful in starting a rapport with the program leader, Daniael. He complemented our Maasai vocabulary and he felt like somebody I could be friends with. He is smart and friendly, kind and welcoming. He later invited us to the good Friday service in Najile as well as his sister’s wedding. He looked so excited to invite us, I felt truly welcome at that point.

As we came back to Najile to see the final (second) distribution of the day, we had lunch and met some more MFSP/POMC people. Now it seemed like people were starting to warm up to us. The different leaders helped us through Maasai (I was annoyed we couldn’t understand what they were saying even when we knew the words). When I was speaking in Maasai I felt like I was on the inside instead of the outside of the Maasai world. That brought a sense of hope, when we could really speak with these people, be their voice to MCC (not just MCC's voice to them). I hope that we can really facilitate that connection by guiding POMC through the changes they need to do to continue to get the funding they need but also remain true to who they are, basically caring people.

As much as in the development world the idea of simply wanting to help others is poo-pooed as for the bleeding hearts, I think the reality is that’s all we’re doing. In some ways POMC is no different than I am, trying to serve people through our faults and strengths. While outsiders bring their own set of short-sightedness, I don’t think we’re inherently “better” or “worse” than locals. We’re all, local and foreign, trying to just help and I think it takes all sorts of people to address the serious issues facing the Maasai people.

After a long day, I am tired. Going into and out of our future world was like jumping from the cold air into the colder pool, back into the night air and then into a hot tub. By the time I almost had my feet in Najile I was bumping and thumping my way back to crazy Nairobi. I just wanted to rest. It does give me some relief however, to know that our future home is waiting for us, and that there will be just as many challenges and joys as any other home we’ve ever had.

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.