YOBIWorld

Empopongi has been affected by the political turmoil and violence of the 2008 Kenyan presidential election. Tourism rapidly decreased and even now there is very little return of tourism. This has spread across Kenya and has hit the Maasai Mara region where many tourists once traveled to experience the exquisite wildlife and beautiful terrain. The income the village received from this industry has disappeared.

The wildlife has also faced dramatic changes within the last year. Poaching has become extremely prevalent, devastating wildlife populations and threatening habitat resources. In the Mara/Serengeti, the most valuable wildlife habitat on earth can be found, both economically and as a biodiversity resource. It would be tragic to lose one of the worlds most precious and natural wildlife environments.

The Maasai have lived in this part of Africa for 350 years. They are faced with extreme poverty on a daily basis that leads to malnutrition and disease. They have no direct access to clean water and no steady source of income. What little money they do earn is used mainly for food. By purchasing these beautiful handmade beaded jewelry items you will allow the women to feed their children, provide desperately needed medicines, access to clean water, and educational supplies and fees. You will place them on the path to self-sufficiency with pride and dignity.

A small percentage of the older children are able to attend school. However, most of the younger children have other obligations to include tending cattle and collecting firewood, among others, that keep them from this vital access to learning that most of us take for granted.

There is a very high infant mortality rate, and, in children below 5 years of age malnutrition is a grave problem. While there are cases of malaria, the most common diseases are TB, trachoma, typhoid, and other water bourne diseases due to the lack of availability of healthcare or clean drinking water. The women collect water from a river approximately 2 km from in heavy 20 litre containers. This same water is used by their cattle and other wildlife and therefore contributes to the water bourne disease.

The women have no income and their only skill is beading. They have used beads since the 19th century when trading began there. Before that, they used ostrich shells and cowrie shells for decoration. They wish to sustain these projects and develop more opportunities for other women and their daughters. They are a sharing community and their only purchasing power has been through a bartering system. The impact of an income for these women is immeasurable. They will be able to better their lives and those of their children by having the buying power of money for the first time in their lives. Most of the women have never had the mere concept of this opportunity and they will value and build it with a greater sense of responsibility and optimism than can possibly be expressed.

The Maasai Mara, a large park reserve, is located in south-western Kenya. It is famous for its exceptional population of wildlife and exquisite natural beauty, as well as for the Great Migration—the annual migration of zebra and wildebeest from the Serengeti from July to October. Within the last year, elephant poaching has escalated across the country and lions are in decline because of human wildlife conflict. This affects the Maasai purely from a livelihood development standpoint because the WCT is trying to develop their wildlife conservation and opportunities in Maasai owned eco tourism, together with better livestock protection as being the best and only likely income sources for their future.