(Photo above: Hellen Nkuraiya and Sabore Oyie)
Gail and Bill McCormick, owners of Bend’s iconic Pine Tavern, in partnership with Jamii Moja, invite you to a special program on March 3, 9-11am with the Maasai, Hellen and Sabore.
Hellen Nkuraiya is a Maasai pioneer for girls education and prevention of female genital mutilation. Sabore Ole Oyie is a Maasai warrior and the co-founder of Sabore’s Wells.
Ten years ago Gail travelled with Jane Menefee and twelve kids on a volunteer vacation and fell in love with the Maji Moto Community in Kenya. “We were welcomed with open arms by a village of extraordinary people who gave so much of themselves when they had so little,” relayed Gail.
“The nonprofit Jamii Moja was established and over the past decade we have successfully worked with the Maasai to bring positive changes to their community including circumcision prevention for girls, water wells, an outstanding school and much needed medical care.”
The mission of Jamii Moja is to work with African communities to create infrastructure which promotes education, healthcare and women’s advocacy. Its vision is to empower independent African communities to thrive using sustainable programs while honoring ancient Maasai culture.
Your support March 3 will benefit ongoing educational programs, a new vocational training center, as well as completing a medical clinic in their village.
Date: March 3, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Where: Pine Tavern Restaurant and Bar
What: Molly Carroll will moderate a lively dialogue on how can we best support our children’s emotional, physical, and psychological transition from childhood to adulthood.
Who: Hellen Nkuraiya and Sabore Oyie, two Massai tribal members, whose wisdom and experience have supported many generations of rites of passage. As a culture we can learn more rituals to let our children reach positive milestones towards a healthy path of independence.
Come share in the conversation. Suggested donation of $20 to support tuition, room and board for a student in Kenya. Please RSVP via the Pine Tavern’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/956302234460809/
To learn more, visit www.jamiimoja.org.
Hellen Nkuraiya
Maasai pioneer for girls education and prevention of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Hellen Nkuraiya’s life’s work is being an advocate for young girls and education in Kenya. She was born into a traditional Maasai family and was married off for cows twice by her father, starting at age nine. Hellen ran away and later received sponsorship for her higher education. In the face of family and community resistance, she has spoken publicly about her life and is a tireless advocate for girl’s education and giving girls access to school. She has travelled extensively and has taken her message to countless schools, churches, and civic organizations abroad.
In her own words “I have promised myself not to stop fighting for girls until my community stops exchanging girls for cows.”
In December of 2009 Hellen was chosen and sponsored for the prestigious Women’s Leadership for the World (WLW) program at Santa Clara University.
Hellen has taught school for 13 years, helping many young girls along the way. In 2008, in partnership with the Polish government and The Asante Africa Foundation, she founded and now serves as the director of Enkiteng Lepa School in Maji Moto Kenya. In partnership with Jamii Moja the school has grown to 100 students.
Hellen has been instrumental in building a supportive village for widows in both Maji Moto and the village in which she now resides, Tepesua, Kenya.
Sabore Ole Oyie
Masaai warrior and elder born in Ewaso Nyrio Kenya, the oldest of 16 children and the only child in his family to receive an education. Sabore is fluent in three languages and has travelled extensively with the Kenya Tourism Board to Japan, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Sweden, South Africa, England and the United States. He has recently received the “Distinction of Leadership” honor and has been selected for warrior training from the elders in his community.
In 2010, Sabore was chosen to participate in the The Global Leaders for Justice workshop conducted at Santa Clara University, a high honor within his community.
Sabore has utilized his experiences, formal education, warrior training, and his knowledge of the world to teach his native community about the importance of attending school while also embracing the Maasaitradition and culture. He is currently working in collaboration with Jamii Moja building a Vocational Training Center for people in his village.
When you learn, teach. When you get, give. – Maya Angelou One World, One Family
