If you don’t know anything about the Masai people.  You should do some research.  Very fascinating people.  While we were on our safari we had the chance to take a few hours to visit the neighbouring tribe… The small fee we paid went to medical supplies – which they need desperately!!  Here are some of my favourites:

We were welcomed with a tribal dance.  They circled us while jumping up in down with their hands to their side.

They will often have jumping competitions… the highest jumper gets the girl!

FIERCE competitors!

The young Masai (I like to call them Masailets

I LOVE the photo on the right… he’s already started practicing his height!!!!!!!

There are many sick and diseased children in these tribes.  And that’s why I love what Dr Anne-Marie Zajdlik is doing for these people (more about her below).

The huts take seven months to build by the women of the village. They are built of branches, twigs, grass, and cow dung and urine formed into a plaster and applied to a branch frame.

Amazingly, when the mixure dries in the sun it is as strong a cement and does NOT smell!

Stretched ear. Amy, mom, & I each bought a Masai “blanket” that I use regularly actually… the RED colour scares away the animals.

Here’s Amy with hers.

I couldn’t decide which I like best… in b&w or in colour??? Fire maker.  They tried to have me make one… but I failed.  I would never survive on Survivor!! Cattle herders. As I mentioned before, Dr. Anne-Marie is a family doctor and an HIV physician in Guelph, Ontario. In 2005, she founded and now directs the Masai Centre for Local, Regional and Global Health, in response to the growing numbers of HIV/AIDS patients in the Guelph area. The birth of an HIV negative boy named Masai to two HIV positive parents from Ethiopia in 2003 turned Anne-Marie into an international AIDS activist.

Click HERE for more information on the Masai Centre for Local, Regional and Global Health and the Bracelet of Hope Campaign.

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My last post tomorrow will be on the second half of my journey to the country of Rwanda!!