Maasai, pencils and a smiling face..

      08 March 2010
      Written by Brechtje Riphagen

      It is a beautiful start of what will appear to be a beautiful field trip. Loliondo is somehow a special place for me. The last time I was here was four months ago and I still remember it clearly. The effects of the draught, the dead cattle on the side of the road, the brown-yellow color of dried grass.. These memories are like pictures in my head, memories that I’ll never forget. I was expecting this again, but it was like I had arrived in a different place! The long expected rain had finally come, and the landscape was changed completely! A beautiful, lush and green landscape with meandering rivers and grazing cows everywhere.  

      And there were more changes. Oloipiri, the school that I had visit in November had made some progress. The wood-saving stove, constructed under the TNT-microfinance project, was finished and in use. The two water-harvesting tanks that were donated by the TNT-UK mission, were about to be built. Hopefully the 60m3 water storage capacity will be enough to help them go through the next dry season.
      I felt happy to see that things were changing here. Hopefully it is the beginning of an era of changes that will make a difference in the lives of these Maasai people. But how far should these differences go? When does ‘making a difference’ stop being helpful, and start initiating the downfall of their traditions and culture? And when a six-year old child is out in the field taking care of the cattle, instead of being in school.. is that culture? Or is it violating a child’s right to education, is it limiting the chances of the future?
      The never-ending dilemma of development aid. But I believe education is key in breaking the vicious circle of poverty. And I believe as well, that every child should be able to go to school. And that was exactly where this trip was about. It was about making a difference, for more than 2000 school children in one of the poorest areas of Tanzania. Every child received a set containing 3 exercise books, 2 pens, 2 pencils, a ruler, eraser and sharpener. In their own file, so they will not lose or damage it when they walk to school. It is a small gift, it will not change the world. But I hope it makes a difference in the life of these children. It certainly made a difference for me. The smile on those happy faces. The child that came to me to say, almost too soft to hear: ‘Thank you’.
      What I've learned, is that 'making a difference' is not in big things, or in quantities. It is in that very special moment. And special it was. I couldn’t imagine a better ending of my time in Tanzania. When heading home, I’ll take this memory and all those happy faces with me.
      Gallery: 

      Add new comment

      Type the characters you see in this picture. (verify using audio)
      Type the characters you see in the picture above; if you can't read them, submit the form and a new image will be generated. Not case sensitive.
      Refresh CAPTCHA image