Maasai project visit to the Maasai land: 
On 30 August I began my journey into the Maasai land
. Our destination was a small village called Lorngosua, located in Kajiado District.
During our drive from the "base" to Lorngosua I noticed that the
Maasai land in Hinb
lick drastically different climate and vegetation of Nairobi. When we started in Nairobi, it was rainy and cold. But the further we drove into the Maasai land, the hotter was d
he was the drier air and the earth. The exact expression
jerk "From mud to dust", which our driver said, smiling, turned this situation to be true dar. Besides, I was on my way to the Maasai land the chance alongside the impressive plant world, as well as the first wild animals to see really close. I had to collect as happiness through these observations, a more unforgettable experience for me! When we finally
after about three hours drive our goal
Lorngosua reached without incident, I was assailed by very different and mixed emotions ...
Lorngosua is a small village like a small community, where about 50
are home to 00 Maasai, who live scattered but all over the country. The place where I lived there, only a few huts. There is the "Dr. Joe Barnes Lorngosua Dispensary," which is founded by ICROSS and supported in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Kenya. This clinic is for me
ists people who live in this environment to be supplied, the only way to health and under sterile conditions, since there in the bush and wilderness no electricity, no running water, as no fixed or But for the mobile phone network is available. The Maasai often take a walk of several kilometers in to the clinic to get
n and be treated there from Silvia, a trained nurse, who works for ICROSS to leave. For someone like me who usually gets any fresh water from the tap every day on electricity and can seek an appropriate range of doctors, it is overwhelming to see how these people cope with their lives. From this reality of life and I was both shocked at the present time, on the other hand, impressed immensely. In Maasai country and from the Maasai themselves to learn in a short time, you need everything NOT to live and how many things within our lives but are actually superfluous and unnecessary to be happy and satisfied. Then you start over his life and his own habits to reflect its priorities and is quite unconsciously new in his life and his behavior, it changed his perspective and opens his views in a fully differentiated directions. All of these processes and events that affect a person and move changes came to this point in the Maasai land almost unnoticed to me, and this would not have been stopped ...
The landscape, nature and the vastness is overwhelming in and around Lorngosua around fabulous and invite you to dream!
And yet you feel a little lost at first in the middle of these ranges and a foreign nation from which one is first viewed with skepticism and patterned. I was easily intimidated and did not so right, how should I behave towards the Maasai. Saruni, a famous Maasai of very high rank, I have become very close to the heart saw me at ease this uncertainty. For a short time he came to me later, took my hand and led me around. He showed and explained
te me everything and answered all my questions. My shyness and fear of the people
beings and the landscape was from minute to minute. After several moments, converted the initial feelings of uncertainty and fear into enthusiasm, sometimes even euphoria, and above all in admiration and respect for the power of nature and the fascination of these people. The broadcast, strength, energy and life force that emanates from this wonderful landscape and this is inspiring people to grasp very difficult to describe, unless you had to experience it for yourself!
The life of the Maasai in Lorngosua: The Maasai are a proud semi-nomadic pastoral people living that are indigenous to the plains in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. Estimates population of about 300000-500000 Maasai in Kenya. It can only be spoken of estimates, because on the one hand not all Maasai involved in national censuses and other multiple counts were not excluded.
The Maasai are among the Nilotic-speaking populations. Their language is called Maa
and is closely related to the language of the Samburu.
put my personal first impressions of the Maasai themselves, as already described, at first was such that this for me, other, strange looks, strange for me not understandable language, and the unknown surrounding me at first intimidating
gardens and frightened. But after a short time I had the fascination of these people as well as its vitality and strength that they bring with her legendary charisma and their indomitable pride. The clothing of the Maasai is on almost all of similar design. It plays, therefore, in contrast to our practice, no special role and the Maasai do not have to "dress up" in a special way to leave just described the impressions of other people. The men traditionally wear a garment made of special blankets and the women from a different cloth. Often, they also contribute self-produced jewelry from colorful beads, with the jewelry of women and men, as well as their costumes, differ. This emphasizes, among other things, the clear division of roles and the different position of men and women within their culture.
The Maasai are (Moran) as a warrior or cattle herders known, however, limited the nomadic lifestyle of the Maasai of Kenya by the increasing urban sprawl and constantly hindered. As pastoralists keep the
Maasai mainly cattle, sheep and goats, or donkeys, which serve them as pack animals.
cultural condition the cattle is given by the Maasai great importance. This is in connection with their religion, for containing the belief of the Maasai, that the rain god Ngai
(Enkai) , perched on the summit of Mount Kenya at the moment when he said heaven and earth, has left them all the cattle on earth. Therefore, a Masai
wins with an increasing number of his cattle in prestige. One is also, consequently, a close association of the Maasai to the earth, to nature and to the rest of their livestock, which is used in many traditions, and bellies clearly visible.
The drinking of cow blood, which mixed some with milk can be is more important and honorable part of life, ceremonies and celebrations of the Masai.
This close relationship is brought, for example, even after the birth of a child for the term. After division of the umbilical cord, the remaining opening is closed with a mixture of earth and cow dung. This tradition does show the closeness to the earth and the cattle of the Maasai, but it can cause health problems, and besides quite drastic problems, and even lead to death. To avoid this course of events, ICROSS is currently conducting several research and studies in this area. There are to be found in this way solutions to contain the dangers of these practices, but without attacking the traditions and customs of the Maasai. Fortunately, there is ICROSS and the participant has already succeeded this show quite successful roll-call you to.
(For more Information about this topic:
http://www.icross.ie/publications/pdf/Lancet_tetanus_2001.pdf ) is
Another, usually known ceremony of the Maasai jumping dance of men. The young Maasai (
Morani ) to jump so high as possible on the spot and thus prove their strength. This "drama" is really stunning and fascinating. The height, some men achieve their jumps, it is difficult to imagine, if you do not even got the opportunity to be able to look at this experience with my own eyes!
to the traditions and culture are sadly still, however, both the men's circumcision as well as female circumcision. The practice of male circumcision results in most cases, no subsequent serious damage to health, it is even often in the future health benefits and is also mostly due to lower risks with fewer complications CARRIED. In the field of female circumcision on the other hand, however, serious shortcomings. In women circumcision are four different types of female genital mutilation, which can cause all different, sometimes dramatic, health and psychological problems. Within the legal situation in Kenya are huge gaps in this area and the general legal situation to be so complex and complicated Shows A clear view turns out to be problematic and time consuming. It is therefore very difficult and tricky to develop common strategies and to find ways to break these traditions to help you to avoid health hazards. Although in recent years carried out more research was needed by the possible solutions to reduce the risks and alternative practices, and the number of information campaigns and awareness-raising about the risks and consequences of female genital mutilation has increased markedly, but this takes even more not to the desired results, yet to be achieved. Numerous factors influence the process of circumcision as well as its control, such as social pressure or various ethical problems. For a tradition that is rooted in a culture for so many years, you can not change over night or even abolish!
And here we should ask in the Western world we know whether we are in our behavior much better than the tribes that practice circumcision ...!? We are undergoing cosmetic surgery and corrections - only, unlike the tribes living here, under anesthesia and other medical conditions. But the truly shocking fact is that everyone who undergoes plastic surgery health risks that his body and "cuts" and this is usually voluntary or because of pressure from the public is doing in order to meet one of the company given beauty. In our society, this fact has no origin but more in culture or tradition, as for example in the case of the Maasai, and should actually contribute more significantly unfounded and ridiculous ...
(a very interesting essay on this topic, which exactly illustrates this perspective, can be found at:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/333/7559/106 )
The
village of the Maasai consists mainly traditional huts of the Maasai (
enkaji and
manyatta ) together. They are built only with the things of that nature available stelt, ie they consist primarily of a mixture of dried cow dung and clay. The construction itself is the object
of women, but these then become the owners of the huts. Meanwhile, in addition to these traditional huts, but also "modern" homes built to be used for its construction further aids and other materials.
The duties and responsibilities of women are numerous and for the family of great importance. Nebe
n construction the huts are the women to get in charge of water to make a fire and eating, which they procured the man cook. The food supply is therefore an object of the men. They sell the cattle in the markets to earn that money and feed the family and feed you to. The women are dependent on her husband to eat a little worried. A common central problem, however, that a man may well have several wives and consequently large families with many children (and it usually has) and therefore not in a position for his entire family be provided. Total
have the men on the Maasai a much higher status than women and are consequently in a higher position. The extraordinary respect, bring the women to their husbands and their rank is visible in several examples, during my watch stay was:
are generally men and women were separated together in separate groups and only rarely do they spend together in mixed groups the time together.
one sees a man and a woman still run together, the man goes ahead and always with some distance behind the woman, even if they are currently in a conversation. In
Lorngosua I also noticed is that men observe when you visit the clinic ICROSS generally not whether women Progress has been waiting longer or not. Even if other women have been waiting in front of the clinic is just one incoming man pushed past them and in front of it elsewhere. The waiting women would never take action themselves and so this behavior is suppressed only partially, if our nurse who heads the clinic intervention, if you noticed this approach.
The women also always bring all children to the clinic itself - never does the job of the man, even the women come alone to the clinic - even if they are sick. If a woman once accompanied her husband to the clinic, she is usually very sick and weak. The bills for medical expenses incurred but only charge the man - both for women and for children.
can also happen that the women are often oppressed by their husbands or beaten, such as when they do not fulfill their duties properly or have neglected their duties. Women in the Maasai hardly significant rights. There is a shortage here not only to women's rights and gender equality - women also have no personal freedoms, and in addition they are not in spite of daily work to be done in the least protected for their future. For a state-funded or privately guaranteed and insurance and welfare system as we know it and take for granted exist there in any way. The women are in their future security, as well as in the daily food supply, in turn, dependent on their husbands and of these, perfect in every way dependent.
Nevertheless, the men love their wives and children and protect them enormously vast. The position of men and women within the culture of the Maasai may be represented for us at first sight, first as a pure discrimination against women and unfair behavior of men towards their women. Nevertheless, the rank of the man, part of the culture of these people and women to respect this status and thus associated partially hard life completely. One can not condemn such a traditional part of the culture so blind without further notice and should not try these people set up a Western template. After all, the Maasai have lived for many generations and these traditions within their culture together mostly satisfied, peaceful and happy. However, it is undoubtedly wrong to inflict suffering and people in general to strike mainly women and children - this could be justified by any culture! Accordingly, one should rather try through education, information and support programs to strengthen in the areas of justice and health promotion the position of women and girls without too far into the culture to intervene or to condemn them. Because no one has the right to condemn a culture only from the reason that it appears as strange and different from our own culture! Instead, it should be argued that meet two different and diverse cultures with diverse lifestyles, habits and traditions to each other, can learn the many things from each other - we can learn tremendously in the "western world" in many areas much of the Maasai and the Maasai We are far ahead in some areas of knowledge. This I can see immediately during my stay in Lorngosua.
The care for the children count how in some places already mentioned, also a task of women. This
task they r going to infinity and self-sacrificing love. They have their children almost continuously around and it is amazing how they perform, despite the fact that all their to-do tasks and duties alongside - for us this fact often seems to overwhelm even the parents together. It falls to women but are often extremely difficult to prepare enough food for their children because they are here completely dependent on what brings them her husband. If no food available or the available food for the family size is not sufficient to Unfortunately, many children often go hungry. It is understandably the worst thing for a mother when she has to watch their children starve and not in a position to do something about this state because it has no options and no money to even obtain enough food to can.
A
Another massive problem, especially in relation to the care of children is the lack of clean drinking water dar. children are particularly vulnerable to diseases that result from contaminated drinking water and drinking water Lorngosua is very tight and is extremely unclean. As part of the impurity of the water, but research could help further: they revealed that most germs die off, contained in polluted water, when you want the water for some time to de
r sun has left, so the risk of cancer to have decreased dramatically. to kill these research results and this method of direct sunlight and heat existing bacteria in the water have been found as a very significant ng Entdecku
, because the procedure is simple to use and requires little or no cost. ICROSS this method has worked with notable successes achieved in this area and carried out a series of studies, which many people could be protected.
http://www.icross.ie/downloads/water_protection_in_kajiado% 20 (2). Pdf http://www.icross.ie/downloads/solar_disinfection_of_drinking_water.pdf http://www.icross. ie/publications/pdf/solar_disinfection_1.pdf http://www.icross.ie/publications/pdf/Solar_disinfection_of_water_an_update.pdf The problem diagnosed by contaminated drinking water
is due to poor hygiene and lack of sanitation, however, sadly reinforced immense. There is an urgent need for action! As a result, more workshops are for informational and educational work within the various topics conducted to raise awareness for the care and the associated good care of the children, but also the mothers themselves, and to improve.
Many children, other than it is often the case with us, even from early years to the various obligations to fulfill: they help their mothers with the daily tasks and the "household" and often the cattle guard. This is on one side for the families using a good and important support, but on the other hand, the children often so ngebunden their obligations an
that they can not go to school. Lorngosua in six different schools exist for all age groups, which are widely scattered. Here now, a large part of the Maasaikinder goes to school, but there are enough children constantly, which is the chance of an education is still denied. Parents can often dispense with the children from their duties or not also raise money for school uniforms or other anfa
llende costs. The children go to school but ultimately, have the students of the same class on a regular basis extreme age differences, because no rules exist for a given school age. It is therefore only to the parents at what age they send their children to school. The school itself is in principle set by the Kenyan government as compulsory education, but whether the parent is pursuing this duty is little or very difficult to control. In addition, the existing Kenyan rights only of limited in the Maasai land and therefore can not lead to a unified approach.
In this picture you can see some of the school children I have met in Lorngosua, and Antony, who also works for the clinic.
The decision making within families is reserved for men - usually requires that all family members adhere to what the man says and sets. Attempts Although the Kenyan government rights, in which, amongst other things, gender equality more important beigemmesen to spread among the Maasai. They were hoping these rights can get closer to and achieve so that they respect and follow them then, but turns out the be extremely difficult. The Maasai have their own rights and its own constitution, which is much older than the state law of Kenya. This Constitution is written down anywhere, but it is handed down from generation to generation and passed on and therefore "more experienced".
The power of decision is up to the elders in the village
(elders). The elders of the church judge and resolve a situation. It depends on the severity of each case, if only some elders are involved in the decision or whether the entire community is involved. The elders govern not only general concern of the entire "community" but as internal family matters, if the man should have taken the individual family or a decision not already testify to matters of particular gravity. They pass their resolutions will not be removed arbitrarily but follow certain traditional and established rules, mainly de facto own constitution. A legal system, according to our understanding of written and enforceable and a legal assessment as objective as possible, as well as decision-making by independent courts and judges do not. Nevertheless, there is still "law and order" among the Maasai. In addition, clear penalties (often the delivery of cattle and goats) are present for individual crimes and assess the elders in their decision-making usually appropriate and considered neutral on the issue. It is not possible, and should not have wanted to be, to impose upon the Maasai a strange, new constitution and an unfamiliar legal system, even if it would make sense but the Constitution of the Maasai adapt some aspects of the Kenyan state law and its laws. This could for example be achieved in that the Maasai their own traditions and customs can get as far as possible maintained and only in areas where there is an urgent need for action (for example, women's and children's rights), an extension or modification of the existing Constitution of the Maasai is made.
will nevertheless result in an amendment of the Constitution itself to a changed way of life if the Maasai do not see the necessity of change and not accept the new laws. To avoid giving people a feeling of intrusion into their culture and their lives, it is therefore of fundamental importance together all the innovations and changes, and in cooperation to develop the entire community of Maasai and then implement. The goal consensus must be present when expected with such a project understanding and insight and will be hoping for a positive development.
The just-described facts, impressions and problems listed were discussed during my stay in Lorngosua particularly prominent and are sometimes left me very close.
Unfortunately it is beyond the scope here is far from all my experiences and all issues on which ICROSS is Maasai country worked to explain in more detail.
At a special event, I still want to go into here because it was very moving and I'm glad I had the chance to be allowed to participate:
Official Opening of the Dr. Joe Barnes Lorngosua Dispensary 
The clinic exists in Lorngosua although since about 7 years, but was never officially opened, or opened.
On 08 September this year, I got the opportunity now to this inauguration and its accompanying festivities of the formal opening of the "Dr. Joe Barnes Lorngosua Dispensary" to participate. Professor Ronan Conroy
of the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland officially opened on this day the ICROSS Clinic in Maasai land.
Since the early years 9oer Professor Conroy is working with Maasai communities in various ICROSS and continuous cooperation closely together to improve health care particularly in remote areas of Kenya. Within the Dr Joe Barnes Clinic various projects to strengthen the health care offered within communities, such as:
- conduct a general medical examination
- issue of drugs
- administration of food supplements and construction preparations
- care of any wounds
- treatment , control and surveillance of all diseases in all fields
- consultations and information sharing in all areas
- prevention work in numerous diseases
- implementation of vaccination
- care of patients (including through home visits)
- control and monitor disease
- projects that have focused specifically on women's health Since October 2007, a special promotion experience
- Close cooperation with trained "Community Health Workers"
at the opening were several high-ranking leader of the Maasai, representatives of government, social groups of the communities as well as traditional medical practitioners of the Maasai, and of course, the international director of ICROSS, Dr. Michael Elmore-Meegan with members of his team's part.
Ronan Conroy was taken by the Maasai women in the company of a traditional welcome song of the Maasai in reception. After a few 
Credits and speeches by various representatives of the hospital and the government, and Ronan Conroy gave a welcome speech on behalf of itself ICROSS a speech. Ronan Conroy devoted his speech mainly Dr. Joe Barnes, after the clinic was named because he wanted to get some due deeds of this man who has done so much for Africa, in memory. For Dr Joe Barnes was one of the first persons in Africa in the field of health care worked and conducted research. Especially for 
expression he brought here that Dr. Barnes always used to say that only the work and the outcomes and results were not the names. Furthermore, he also pointed out that the people are the central point - that people must be helped, however, and especially people that you bear in mind what is really important in life that others can inspire and fascinate. The only important thing in life is to help each other ...
conducted in accordance with the celebrations 
some students of the school in Lorngusua something up and sang a few songs, which I find Ronan Conroy's speech touched a lot. I have in this short time the opening ceremony, learned a lot about the nature of the ceremonies of the Maasai and to experience all this with great joy. The atmosphere was indescribable sublime and moving.
Later this day I am sending you become aware that the Maasai can also contact us in order to teach something festivities. It is not necessary the best-equipped breakfast or the most great hall to make available, to celebrate an event and skipped gaily and reasonable. There are once again the people who stand in the central Mittelpunt as Ronan Conroy has stressed in his speech, already ...
http://www.icross.ie/news/newsarticle.aspx?cid=81
farewell
In the last week of my internship in Kenya, I went again for a day in the Maasai land to me from all adopt. The parting is entirely in Lorngosua me was not easy. I have the people and the country during my stay there very close to my heart.
Silvia, the nurse who works at the clinic 
and where I've lived during my stay is a fantastic and admirable woman. She gave me during the stay there very much taken care of and taught to me as if I were her own daughter. Your life in Lorngosua handles it, despite some difficulties (as mentioned earlier in Lorngosua such as no running water or electricity available) with flying colors. Her family can see due to distance from home (about 3 hour drive) only on weekends and still loves her work and thrives on it formally. They would never send away a patient who comes to the clinic - no matter at what time. I was very happy that I spend so much time with her and thereby close a new friendship.
Furthermore, I was the farewell of two Maasai women particularly hard. Mama Mama Yusuf and David are both a Community Health Worker for ICROSS in Lorngosua active. Mama David has six children and live Yusuf Mama seven, while in both, not all children in the family home. Yusuf Mama and Mama David Silvia support wherever they can and when you need their help, 
they are certainly there immediately. You have just in the last days before the official inauguration of the clinic helped a great deal and worked hard - for all their daily duties, which have to meet them and their own families to which they have to worry about. In appreciation I gave both women a lantern in the petrol filling to get it to light and then to produce light. This was astonishing to me: Both women have incredibly happy about it - yet it was in my eyes "just" a lamp that was not very expensive ... But Silvia told me that was one for the women especially the gesture and the well meaning intentions of me and this is very appreciated. When I now to say goodbye, went back to the Maasai land, told me Ma ma 
Yusuf that they intend to build a small house, there to place the lantern. Then this should in future be a place to read to get the children to school after dark, or a chance to learn. I was very pleased about this idea and saw that "only a light" may already be very useful, and that even with small things and steps can help the people died in the Maasai land a little better and easier. Mama Davi d 
has also got the lantern. During the visit of her house along with Silvia, and Saruni Yusuf Mama, we saw that they had previously possessed only a lantern for the entire family and have now finally get their children a chance to read in the dark and learn. gave before I finally returned to the base drove me both women from their chains that they had taken, hugging me several times warmly and told me that I am forever in their prayers included and welcome at any time she was visiting. I was close to tears ...
The Maasai country has given me a wonderful time and I have learned infinitely more! I was incredibly a lot of experience, got the chance to know the real life of the Maasai and the real Africa to be able to learn and experience. I was able to make new friends and was able to account for problem-and thus fields of action ... and so much more! I would get the chance to spend again some time there, I would hesitate to use the opportunity at any time without!
Shortly before 
my departure to Germany was Saruni me a Maasai name. Maasai My name is Naisarisaru. This means something, that I quickly came to Africa, quickly departed am, but also to come back again soon. Furthermore, it describes my character in the way, how I do things or conduct myself - I usually use things without hesitation in attacking and generally you can see me rarely stand still at one point: -) So Saruni has certainly tried me this name explain. A name has a meaning only rarely, but often stands for more properties ...
The fact that Saruni gave me a name means a lot to me and is a great honor!
I will be the prompt that includes my name, definitely try to follow as quickly as possible with large (pre-) joy back to Africa ...
In this picture you can see some of the school children I have met in Lorngosua, and Antony, who also works for the clinic. 
On 08 September this year, I got the opportunity now to this inauguration and its accompanying festivities of the formal opening of the "Dr. Joe Barnes Lorngosua Dispensary" to participate. Professor Ronan Conroy 
All these women are suffering not only from HIV, but many of them also have their husbands, children and families separated, have barely enough money to buy sufficient food, and often suffer from the symptoms of their illness including permanent in some cases very severe pain. However, you realize none of these women, their suffering especially, yet complains that one of them about their lives or their fate! On the contrary - they enjoy their lives and the time you have left now ... 
