Visiting Kenya not only once but now twice is truly a blessing. As an added bonus this past February I got to add a five day stay down in South Africa to visit my parents. I am blessed to travel in Kenya with an amazing organization, A Voice Is Heard, who are educating girls and empowering women in Maasai communities. I was awestruck by the women of Kenya and South Africa and their desires to start businesses and NGOs, help others, strengthen their communities and educate their daughters. These are a few of the women I met along the way.
Our traveling partners with A Voice Is Heard (minus the amazing Wendy Ellsworth). This is an amazing group of mothers, caregivers and kind hearted women. In addition, they are photographers, writers, nurses, business managers, born and raised New Yorkers, former cattle ranch owners and so much much more. All coming together for a trip to support the women and girls in Kenya. So lucky to be included in this group of amazing women.
The women of Indepen Village and Carmen Myers, founder of A Voice Is Heard.
The future of the Maasai women. These girls and their families supported and participated in the second annual female genital non-cutting ceremony for girls. A beautiful coming of age ceremony for these young ladies. Their opportunity to attend high school, college and choose their own husband just opened up exponentially.
Women of the Meyelo Beading Group. These women support their children's education by selling their bead work. Also, included are Janice a young college student studying land laws to help her community and Wendy Ellsworth, author and amazing bead artist.
My friend Salome who lost her husband one year ago and has three daughters in school and a son in college. She started a kiosk outside her house and sells flour, batteries and other wares to the local community.
I got to babysit Ladadi while her mother was working. I was in heaven and reminded of how beautiful and bright the future can be.