Masaai, porridge and football

The primary school is nearby and classes are just about to start. The 600 students aging from four to fourteen slowly start entering the school premises. They come from all over the area, all by foot. Walking for 10km to reach school is not an exception. In most cases they have to walk these distances with an empty stomach. At home, there is simply not enough food to feed all hungry stomachs. The FFE programme provides the school children with two basic mails a day. In the morning a cup of maize porridge, in the afternoon a lunch made of maize and beans.

 

After a dozen words of welcome, we got a tour through the school premises. Then a loud bell sounds and suddenly the area, which was peaceful and empty, is filled with children in blue school uniforms. They are excited, because it is time for their first meal. Together with the TNT volunteers we helped distributing the porridge. Later that day, the volunteers help actively building a wood-saving stove and make a donation to build two water harvesting tanks. The village elders and parents of the children are grateful and express their thanks by performing a traditional Masaai dance. During the 1.5h during ceremony, the school children are waiting patiently, standing perfectly lined up. But their patience turns into excitement soon when TNT announces an extra gift, way cooler than water harvest tanks: 40 Manchester football kits for the school football team and some real footballs! The football game that followed was a great ending of this very special and impressive day.

 

We went back to the village to spend the night, before heading back to Arusha. It felt a bit strange to enjoy my beer and fresh goat meat that they prepared specially for us. My head was full of thoughts and pictures of all the impressions of this journey. It was the first time I saw the living conditions of these Masaai people. I was touched by their very basic living circumstances, their poverty and especially, how much they are hit by the current draught. I was shocked by the many dead animals lying on the side of the road, as silent witnesses of the lack of water in this area. And most impressive of all were the children, reaching for their cup of maize porridge.

 

This day, I could actually fill the cups. And I saw what it means. Instead of being hungry, a child is able to join classes without an empty stomach. It really was a special day. For the children, but certainly for me.