Issue 1 - January, 2002
Leah, Chairwoman of the Dupoto Women's Group, and I
enjoy the welcoming song.
Mary Memusi, Mary Shanka and Ester Kotoine shop for
party supplies.
Mercy, Abigael and Mary Memusi enjoy their sodas.
The fathers also joined us and enjoyed the presentations
and delicious food.
Our girls are friends. The party is over and they are
dressed in their school uniforms. Mercy, left, Abigael, Florence, Ruth and
Mary.
IlBissil Secondary - Alice Kotoine, Serah Rei and
Florence Maina's classroom.
The Maasai welcoming song greeted me as I arrived in
Isinya, Kenya, last November during one of my frequent visits.. Each
sponsored girl lowered her head for me to touch in the traditional Maasai
sign of respect. Of course, that
brought tears to my eyes. They looked so beautiful in their beaded jewelry
and red dresses. We had not
spoken a word, but I could see in their eyes that the project is having a
major impact on their lives. These
girls know they will have the opportunity to finish their education and
have a bright future – thanks to their sponsors.
It was a wonderful visit. We spent an entire weekend together packed with activities,
workshops, girl talk and, of course, eating.
There were four goats for the nyma choma (roast meat that I love),
mounds of beans, corn, rice, cabbage and their favorite – cases of soda.
Fathers, mothers, siblings, friends, sponsored girls
and guests from the African Conservation Center all gathered for the
formal presentations. The
emcee introduced each girl and her poem or song.
There were more tears when I shared a friendship song and dance
with all of the mothers.
It was very exciting to get to know these girls
better and to hear about their lives and problems.
“You saved me from an early marriage,” said Serah
Wamatiaiai Rei. She spent a month in her house crying because her father
and grandmother wanted her to marry. She knew her tuition fees would save
her and she refused to get married.. Serah is only 14 years old and is in
Form 2 at Ibissil Secondary School. She
is a vivacious conversationalist and the school librarian (she needs more
books!).
Mercy Noonkiletti and Florence Nasoore are in Form 2 and excellent
students in addition to being top runners in their region.
Maybe we will see them at the Olympics.
One girl asked, “Do you circumcise your daughters?
If so, do you go to the hospital or do it at home?”
This girl is in Form1 at Moi Girls Secondary School where they only
accept the best students.
Each girl has a unique story and the sponsors enjoy
learning more about their girl through correspondence. Often the girls
send a small token of appreciation to their sponsors.
We are
presently sponsoring 24 girls with many more waiting for support.
To see pictures of
girls who are ANXIOUSLY awaiting sponsorship, please CLICK HERE
To receive email updates about the project please
email
BEADSofKenya@aol.com and we will add you to our mailing list.
Thank you again,
Debby
Rooney
BEADS CO-Founder
Contact us at
BEADSofKenya@aol.com
to learn more!
©
BEADS
is a tax-exempt 501(c) (3)
organization