Frog Pond Productions
A private nonprofit educational communications network
Update from Francis - Nov '07
Dear Friends,
With the support MCEP SIMOO implemented various projects aimed at alleviating poverty among the Maasai nomadic people in
Enrolling more children in school and supporting them with school fees and other very necessary supplies. 80 elementary school kids are being sponsored. This year’s enrollment was 34 children. We also enrolled two high school kids and sponsor two college students at
MCEP sponsorship helped Susan Naserian to attend the Permanent United Nation's Forum on Indigenous Affairs in May and June 2007. It is very important to note that this year the UN General Assembly voted unanimously to adopt the declaration on indigenous people's human rights which include a right to live, a right to access education, water and other basic human rights. Also, Daniel Rogei attended the UN Forum on Climate Change held at the UN headquarters in NYC in September 2007. Daniel was able to make a contribution on the impact of climate on indigenous peoples basing them on livelihood, culture, mitigation drought and famine.
This year, a village situated in west of the Rift Valley was affected by a fire tragedy. We are happy to announce that MCEP sent some funds which we used to buy household supplies such as plates, water fetching containers, spoons, cups and milking jugs. This was a very good project that positively affected the lives of the victims. They did not have items to use for milking and serving food.
SIMOO is also very much trying to empower women economically. In Maasai traditions, women have no property. They depend on men for food clothing and other needs. With the help of MCEP, we were able to market the Maasai art skill of bead work. Currently the women are exporting HairZings to a company in
Your Maasai Friend,
Francis ole Sakuda
Update from Francis - April '07
Dear Friends,
We are very fine and our work is going on smoothly. We have
received some rains but we hope to get more. Regarding our projects the
following has been accomplished.
1. The St Peters well is doing very well. We have a water
cistern and pipeline at the well. Many families are now getting very clean and
a reliable water source provided by this well. We can’t forget thanking the
Anonymous Donor for this gift of water. Water is life and life can be very very
challenging without water.
2. The Rotary water well is also doing very well. This water
source is situated at a more remote community of Maasai land in our region. It
is supplying water to many herds of livestock as well as for domestic uses.
This community has also started to plant tree seedlings so that the well
environment can provide shade for the water cistern and the people who will be
fetching water at the well, saving them from the scorching sun.
3. Development of water ponds. SIMOO has made 13 water ponds
in different communities last year and early this year in an effort to
eradicate poverty and water shortage. This water is collected from rainwater
runoff and used for livestock watering. Many Maasai cows die due to long treks
in search of water. This will help reduce a lot of walking by cattle.
4. Fences. SIMOO has also provided 50 wire fences to 50
families. One acre is fenced in each homestead and help train the Maasai to
harvest hay. A lot of hay has been collected which will save many families that
have few cattle from buying hay. It will also help many cows from dying of
starvation in the dry season.
5. Education. We have received more funds for the education
projects. All these children have been able to attend schooling without any
stumbling block. Previously, most of these children could not attend school due
to lack of shoes, uniform or school fees. SIMOO is able to cater for all their
needs and they are now enjoying learning like any other kids from able
families. Their lives are no longer the same.
We hope to achieve more this year with the help of our
partners and friends. We can all change the world for the better. The Maasai
have received only a helping hand from MCEP.
Francis ole Sakuda
Executive Director - SIMOO
Letter from Francis ole Sakuda
Dear Friend,
Receive warm greetings full of love from the Maasai of the Rift Valley in Kenya. I am happy to inform you that, though you live far in a place feel that you are living very close to me as a good neighbor and a friend. The Rift valley is a dry semi-arid and arid land, which has hardship due to natural land formations with salty lakes and elevations below sea level. This makes our life very challenging. However with a friend like you, our lives have been improved and your continuous help is assuring our existence.
In the most recent past, we were able to drill another two wells, which ranged from 150 meters and 230 meters under the ground. These wells are in addition to the one we drilled in December 2005.Our people and livestock have clean water because of what you have done for us. Through your contribution, you helped to sustain the lives of the most marginalized people in this region of the world. You can read about the Maasai hardships in the most recent National Geographic magazine. We are now experiencing the dry season which may last up to eight months until April next year. By March of every year most livestock die due to dehydration and starvation. This affects families who entirely depend on livestock for food and shelter. We therefore thank you for your support.
Our Organization SIMOO (Simba Maasai Outreach Organization) intends to drill more wells in five villages of Olosho-oibor, Saikeri, Kimuka, Ilngarooj, and Ewuaso. Clean water has improved women’s health that walk several miles daily to bring home 40 to 60 liters of water. The journey has been reduced by 45% for the villages affected. Other villages need help too. Your help and moral support will help us reduce the effects of marginalization of our tribe.
In education, only 20% of school age children go to schools. Schools, like water points, are few and far. Our children walk several miles daily in search of knowledge through formal education. I am happy to inform you that through your contributions we are currently supporting 23 elementary school children to go to school. One high school student is also being sponsored through the funds from MCEP (Maasai Cultural Exchange Project).
I am writing to thank you all for your support for education and water. Our women are so grateful. They can now do extra activities such as beadwork because of the time they have in a day. Thank you once again and we hope to continue our partnership for the benefit of the world’s people.
You Maasai Friend,
Francis ole Sakuda
Director SIMOO
Letter from Daniel Salau Rogei
Dated: December 23, 2005
Receive much geetings from me, my family and the community. It was great and much fun hosting the MCEP group who have changed the lives of many people in our community. The experiences shared were so enriching and it was a whole learning process to all of us. We feel previledged as we celebrate Christmas with clean and sustainable source of water. It is by all means the best Christmas gift! The water is so timely and shall reduce the adverse effects of the severe drought we are currently experiencing. We shall be equally generous enough to share with other community members from far who are migrating closer to the water point.
I wish you all a merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Ashe oleng' oleng' oleng'.......
Daniel
