...is the name of the village where 8 dedicated women spent 3 afternoons each week for 16 weeks studying their letters and numbers...
Notice the demarcation for the 'road' leading to the church?
This is the building that served as school for the Maasai women those 16 weeks, and the venue for the graduation ceremony held last Saturday.
And the kitchen where tea and lunch were prepared! Somewhere in the background a goat is being slaughtered in honor of the women and their much-awaited celebration...
Preplanning between Rhonda and teacher Lillian. Literacy training for the area pastors and now for the women is one of the ways Rhonda has been called to serve in the Maasai community here in Kenya. She enters a community where training is desired and assists them in establishing the classes. Just $150 will buy the materials for 10 women to attend the trainings.
Then each woman pays a small fee each week for use of the building and to pay the teacher.
Students gather as Rhonda and Lillian pour over the 'final exams'...
Teacher Lillian excitedly showed us the amazing work these ladies have done. She has them ranked by their place in the class. She insisted that we hand out diplomas in order of their standing. We were concerned that might discourage the 'last of them', but Lillian insisted that this would be an encouragement to the ladies.
Letters...
...and numbers!
Jeremy, Rhonda's assistant, and Pastor Amos, whose church we are in, discussing the "Order of Service" with Rhonda...and making revisions!
All the ladies assembled with their matching garb - a uniform of sorts. They were glowing! See the baby? She attended every session with her mom...these ladies had to squeeze three precious hours out of busy schedules; tending to children, taking care of their homes and husbands. Each wife had to receive permission from her husband to attend these classes. It took a great deal of dedication for these women to complete their studies...out of 10 women who began the training only two were unable to finish!
Let the ceremony begin! The beautiful students, led by Teacher Lillian, processed into the building with song and dance...
At their places in the front of the church...
...they completed their 'opening song' with the bass sound of men's voices in the background.
Pastor Amos opens with a word of prayer and encouragement for the women, as Jeremy translated to English for the benefit of the Wazungu (that would be Rhonda and me!)
...who listened intently to every word...Pastor Amos is the husband to Teacher Lillian. He shared how at first it was such a challenge to be without his wife on 'school days' and even during the times of her preparation for classes, but then he began to enjoy special time with his children and talked of the growing relationship with his son...I was struck with how amazing God is... providing a way for these women to learn and at the same time providing an opportunity for this father to discover a deeper joy in his children!
Notice the demarcation for the 'road' leading to the church?
This is the building that served as school for the Maasai women those 16 weeks, and the venue for the graduation ceremony held last Saturday.
And the kitchen where tea and lunch were prepared! Somewhere in the background a goat is being slaughtered in honor of the women and their much-awaited celebration...
Preplanning between Rhonda and teacher Lillian. Literacy training for the area pastors and now for the women is one of the ways Rhonda has been called to serve in the Maasai community here in Kenya. She enters a community where training is desired and assists them in establishing the classes. Just $150 will buy the materials for 10 women to attend the trainings. Then each woman pays a small fee each week for use of the building and to pay the teacher.
Students gather as Rhonda and Lillian pour over the 'final exams'...
Teacher Lillian excitedly showed us the amazing work these ladies have done. She has them ranked by their place in the class. She insisted that we hand out diplomas in order of their standing. We were concerned that might discourage the 'last of them', but Lillian insisted that this would be an encouragement to the ladies.Letters...
...and numbers!
Jeremy, Rhonda's assistant, and Pastor Amos, whose church we are in, discussing the "Order of Service" with Rhonda...and making revisions!
All the ladies assembled with their matching garb - a uniform of sorts. They were glowing! See the baby? She attended every session with her mom...these ladies had to squeeze three precious hours out of busy schedules; tending to children, taking care of their homes and husbands. Each wife had to receive permission from her husband to attend these classes. It took a great deal of dedication for these women to complete their studies...out of 10 women who began the training only two were unable to finish!
Let the ceremony begin! The beautiful students, led by Teacher Lillian, processed into the building with song and dance...At their places in the front of the church......they completed their 'opening song' with the bass sound of men's voices in the background.Pastor Amos opens with a word of prayer and encouragement for the women, as Jeremy translated to English for the benefit of the Wazungu (that would be Rhonda and me!)...who listened intently to every word...Pastor Amos is the husband to Teacher Lillian. He shared how at first it was such a challenge to be without his wife on 'school days' and even during the times of her preparation for classes, but then he began to enjoy special time with his children and talked of the growing relationship with his son...I was struck with how amazing God is... providing a way for these women to learn and at the same time providing an opportunity for this father to discover a deeper joy in his children!
Then it was Rhonda's turn to share. She praised the women for their dedication, thanked the families for their sacrifice, and shared a story told to her by Pastor John. Pastor John's church was the first to host a women's literacy class. He had excitedly shared with Rhonda how the women in his congregation who used to say to him "Pastor, read the Bible to me" now proudly say "I will read the Bible to you!"
I watched several heads nod as the women enthusiastically agreed with her words.
When it was Teacher Lillian's turn, everyone could see the twinkle in her eyes as she shared her excitement at watching the ladies learn and blossom. She is sad to see it come to an end, although she is sooooo proud of their accomplishment! She told the ladies "what am I going to do now without you as my students?"...they enjoyed many weeks of learning, visiting and laughing together.
One of the students wanted to express, for the whole class, gratitude for the opportunity. After thanking Pastor Amos for the schoolroom and the teacher, she thanked Rhonda for providing the means. Then she shared the many benefits of being able to read and do numbers; she can now converse with English speaking customers, she can figure the change when she makes a sale, she can help her children as they begin to learn to read and write.
But most surprising to me was when she said now when she wants to make a call, she no longer has to ask someone to read the contact name on her cell phone!
Watching the women and how attentive they were, made me understand why they were such good students...
But most surprising to me was when she said now when she wants to make a call, she no longer has to ask someone to read the contact name on her cell phone!
Watching the women and how attentive they were, made me understand why they were such good students...
Diploma time! First certificate was handed to the #1 student...
...and the final certificate was proudly given to the oldest member of the class. This lady is in her 80's!
The graduates! With Jeremy on the left and Rhonda on the right...
And with Teacher Lillian...
I loved this! They were so careful to put their precious diplomas in the protective envelopes provided by Rhonda.
...and gifts were given to each in honor of all the hard work and sacrifice...
...see the one lady to the left in the front row? She just discovered the tea, sugar and milk in her bag...each lady was given provision for tea, which is so important especially when hosting guests. Especially precious is milk as the cows which normally provide for the families are either dying from the drought, or not calving and therefore not producing milk.
Everyone is so excited...I was pleased to see that the church was full of family and friends, come to celebrate with the ladies.
They found the lesos! Maasai women traditionally wear mostly red, so they were thrilled to see the variety of colors Rhonda had chosen for the special gifts.
In closing Amos again thanked Rhonda for her willingness to serve God by serving the Maasai people...
Cute kid, doncha think?
Jeremy reading from 1Cor, the scripture Pastor Amos was using...
...okay, this is a surprise. Rhonda (and I) cannot quite figure out what's next...
Ohhhh! They wanted to give us gifts. I was honored to be included in this special recognition. I received a cross necklace and Rhonda received a pair of earrings.
Ahh! Music and dancing and singing...what fun! And the kids were adorable...
Time for cake! Our next door neighbor, Ledger, has a cake business and created this work of art!
Eagerly waiting...
...and the final certificate was proudly given to the oldest member of the class. This lady is in her 80's!
The graduates! With Jeremy on the left and Rhonda on the right...
And with Teacher Lillian...
I loved this! They were so careful to put their precious diplomas in the protective envelopes provided by Rhonda.
...and gifts were given to each in honor of all the hard work and sacrifice...
...see the one lady to the left in the front row? She just discovered the tea, sugar and milk in her bag...each lady was given provision for tea, which is so important especially when hosting guests. Especially precious is milk as the cows which normally provide for the families are either dying from the drought, or not calving and therefore not producing milk.
Everyone is so excited...I was pleased to see that the church was full of family and friends, come to celebrate with the ladies.
They found the lesos! Maasai women traditionally wear mostly red, so they were thrilled to see the variety of colors Rhonda had chosen for the special gifts.
In closing Amos again thanked Rhonda for her willingness to serve God by serving the Maasai people...
Cute kid, doncha think?
Jeremy reading from 1Cor, the scripture Pastor Amos was using...
...okay, this is a surprise. Rhonda (and I) cannot quite figure out what's next...
Ohhhh! They wanted to give us gifts. I was honored to be included in this special recognition. I received a cross necklace and Rhonda received a pair of earrings.
Ahh! Music and dancing and singing...what fun! And the kids were adorable...
Time for cake! Our next door neighbor, Ledger, has a cake business and created this work of art!
Eagerly waiting...
It's almost seems a shame to cut into it! But we mustn't disappoint!
Pastor John helped the ladies serve to all present...
Teacher Lillian serving one of her beloved students...
...oooh! We found chocolate...
Admiring what is left of the cake, this is Lillian's youngest...he is just 13 months.
Group shot under an Acacia tree...
Our oldest student proudly sharing the certificate of her achievement with family members.
and Rhonda holding her namesake...this little one belongs to a local pastor.
Lunch was served in a small room off the sanctuary...Jeremy cleaning his hands. The water was warm, but I can't say it was clean! But I am sure it was the best they could do.
The food was deeelicious! The goat meat was 'sweet' as they say here, which means it was tender and tasty.
I loved this tender exchange between husband and wife. That is Teacher Lillian and husband Pastor Amos. See the board behind them? It was used for their lessons!
Local scenery from the window of our 'lunch room'
Okay, I took this shot because I noticed women carrying plates of food toward the church...
After spending several fun and satisfying hours, we took our leave...I am still amazed and impressed with the sacrifice and dedication shown by the Maasai women as they covet the opportunity to open their minds and lives to the world of literacy!
Pastor John helped the ladies serve to all present...
Teacher Lillian serving one of her beloved students...
...oooh! We found chocolate...
Admiring what is left of the cake, this is Lillian's youngest...he is just 13 months.
Group shot under an Acacia tree...
Our oldest student proudly sharing the certificate of her achievement with family members.
and Rhonda holding her namesake...this little one belongs to a local pastor.
Lunch was served in a small room off the sanctuary...Jeremy cleaning his hands. The water was warm, but I can't say it was clean! But I am sure it was the best they could do.
The food was deeelicious! The goat meat was 'sweet' as they say here, which means it was tender and tasty. 
I loved this tender exchange between husband and wife. That is Teacher Lillian and husband Pastor Amos. See the board behind them? It was used for their lessons!
Local scenery from the window of our 'lunch room'
Okay, I took this shot because I noticed women carrying plates of food toward the church...
After spending several fun and satisfying hours, we took our leave...I am still amazed and impressed with the sacrifice and dedication shown by the Maasai women as they covet the opportunity to open their minds and lives to the world of literacy!
