My time in the field with the Maasai people comes to an end. This time is bitter-sweet as I will miss these amazing people and experiences. I hope the staff and volunteers felt appreciated and loved by us. Their dedication, compassion, hard work, and love for the people they serve was inspiring. I was assured that the World Concern staff would take care of us and they certainly did. Our every need was taken care of and I felt the work we did in such a short time was of value and valuable. We leave Talek to drive to Narok then on to Nairobi.
Before leaving the World Concern Office in Narok we were each given a Maasai name and presented with a World Concern lesso or shuka. The Maasai women wear lessos while the men wear shukas, a red robe. The Maasai like colorful clothes, especially the color red. Red because it symbolized their culture and they believe it scares away lions. We were each given a Maasai name by Peter, Jane, and Senewa. They observed us throughout the week and gave us names befitting our personality. I was presented with the name, Naita Yuang, which means: one who anticipates the needs of others, Mother, homemaker. With honor and grateful appreciation, thank you!
Be willing and ready to learn. To learn about the good and beautiful in Africa as well as the challenges that we so often hear about from the media; to see how great World Concern does with a little budget and small staff to transform people and communities in real ways through community-based, long term, participatory development; to learn about the hospitality, joy, love, and wisdom that is so present in a small Kenyan village and how even though corruption, poverty, AIDS and poor leadership people are finding joy and peace and life as they are introduced to Jesus Christ.
T. Stover
