US offers scholarships to Maasai youth
By Richard Chesos
The US Government has given 14 secondary school scholarships to Maasai youth in appreciation of a rare donation four years ago when a village gave 14 cows to console families and friends of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The scholarships will be awarded to seven girls and seven boys. On June 2, 2002, Maasai elders from Enoosaen village gave the US Government cows to empathise with the families of the attacks.
More than 3,000 people were killed in the attacks blamed on Al Qaeda – a group of extremists led by Saudi-born dissident, Osama bin Laden.
While presenting the cattle to the then acting US ambassador, Mr William Brencick, the elders said: "To the people of America, we give these cows to help you".
Among the Maasai, cattle are the most precious possession.
Signed an agreement
The ceremonial transfer of the cattle was arranged by Mr Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, a Stanford University undergraduate student, who was on a visit to New York on the day the towers came tumbling down.
Naiyomah later returned to Enoosaen and explained to elders what had happened. The elders agreed to give the cattle as consolation. Naiyomah is now a master’s student in biological sciences.
On Sunday, the US ambassador, Mr Michael Ranneberger,
visited the village and signed an agreement with the elders which states that the animals would neither be slaughtered nor sold.
The ceremony, dubbed September 11, 2001 Remembrance Ceremony, was marked with song and dance.
Immigration minister Mr Gideon Konchella accompanied the ambassador, who gave out the scholarships.
Humble background
Mr Murero ole Yamboi and Naiyomah signed the agreement on behalf of Enoosaen people.
According to the agreement, the Maasai would tend the animals, while the US Government would offer scholarships to Maasai youth.
The US would also make a four-year donation of 10 secondary schools scholarships for needy Maasai youths.
Naiyomah, who jetted in the country on Saturday, moved the crowd when he said his humble background made him cherish Maasai support.
He narrated how his mother, Ms Susan Naiyomah, fed him on leftovers when he was a small boy. Naiyomah worked as a cleaner at a local butchery.
"She brought left-over beef stew in the evening. When she was given a soda, she kept it for me," he said, as his mother nodded in the affirmative.
He recalled that while at Stanford, kind residents gave him food and money.
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The US Government has given 14 secondary school scholarships to Maasai youth in appreciation of a rare donation four years ago when a village gave 14 cows to console families and friends of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The scholarships will be awarded to seven girls and seven boys. On June 2, 2002, Maasai elders from Enoosaen village gave the US Government cows to empathise with the families of the attacks.
More than 3,000 people were killed in the attacks blamed on Al Qaeda – a group of extremists led by Saudi-born dissident, Osama bin Laden.
While presenting the cattle to the then acting US ambassador, Mr William Brencick, the elders said: "To the people of America, we give these cows to help you".
Among the Maasai, cattle are the most precious possession.
Signed an agreement
The ceremonial transfer of the cattle was arranged by Mr Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, a Stanford University undergraduate student, who was on a visit to New York on the day the towers came tumbling down.
Naiyomah later returned to Enoosaen and explained to elders what had happened. The elders agreed to give the cattle as consolation. Naiyomah is now a master’s student in biological sciences.
On Sunday, the US ambassador, Mr Michael Ranneberger,
visited the village and signed an agreement with the elders which states that the animals would neither be slaughtered nor sold.
The ceremony, dubbed September 11, 2001 Remembrance Ceremony, was marked with song and dance.
Immigration minister Mr Gideon Konchella accompanied the ambassador, who gave out the scholarships.
Humble background
Mr Murero ole Yamboi and Naiyomah signed the agreement on behalf of Enoosaen people.
According to the agreement, the Maasai would tend the animals, while the US Government would offer scholarships to Maasai youth.
The US would also make a four-year donation of 10 secondary schools scholarships for needy Maasai youths.
Naiyomah, who jetted in the country on Saturday, moved the crowd when he said his humble background made him cherish Maasai support.
He narrated how his mother, Ms Susan Naiyomah, fed him on leftovers when he was a small boy. Naiyomah worked as a cleaner at a local butchery.
"She brought left-over beef stew in the evening. When she was given a soda, she kept it for me," he said, as his mother nodded in the affirmative.
He recalled that while at Stanford, kind residents gave him food and money.
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posted by Mwananchi at 2:10 PM
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