Wisdom from the Maasai Youth

Jackson Leiye, a 28-year-old believes that change is necessary for a good life. “This is a new age of globalization, and we need to adapt and change to be a part of it. We need to learn new things.” His life lesson is “Life needs effort if you want to change your living standard.” You don’t need multiple wives to live a good life, you can do that with just one partner. It is important to have only a few children so that you are able to provide them with a good life.

Joanne Peter believes in being independent. She shared that “It is important to learn and grow so that you don’t have to depend on anyone.” Her goal in life is to become a nurse, which will help her earn good money. “ I want to buy a farm for my family so that we don’t have to depend on anyone else. Having your own business means not being in the commandment of anyone else.”

Cheche Kivuyo Kerhmboti is a teacher and has been teaching Maths and Economics for the past two years. He decided to become a teacher when he was still in school. At that time, he thought that if he became a teacher, he can teach his siblings and friends. “There is also a stigma in the Maasai society about teachers. They believe that only those who are from poverty-stricken backgrounds become teachers. I wanted to break that stigma.” He is the first in his family to complete his education. His Mathematics teacher in school encouraged him and also funded his education. “This is what has inspired me, and what I want to keep doing in life. I want to make my fellow Maasai aware of the importance of education.”

20-year-old Neema learned from her grandfather to be responsible in life. Her grandfather is her role model. She shares, “My grandfather had to struggle a lot to support his family, especially since they came from a poor economical background. Together with his wife, he slowly started earning money to buy cows and was able to turn their lives around for good.” She wants to work as hard as her grandparents. Her goal in life is to become a doctor and help her society.

Many people in the Maasai society encourage the preservation of resources, especially water of which there is a severe scarcity in the village. 24-year-old Moran, Lamehyani agrees with that sentiment. His life lesson is advice on safekeeping and sustainability. “Whatever you get, don’t play with it. Keep it at least for the next few days.”