Maasai Aid Association - M.A.A.

NEWSLETTER, December 2008

Dear members and friends,

Here we are in December again, the last month of the year, which, like everything that gets to its end, announces the time to assess the year's activities and achievements. We would like to apologise for not getting back to you earlier, but the president's trip to Kenya in October-November 2008 reasonably altered and postponed our regular activities.

Activities

MAA took part in the international days of AIESEC (International Student Association) at UNIL-Mail (Geneva) on October 14 th by holding a stand. We were contacted mostly by Social Sciences students, who are sensitive to the problems encountered by developing countries and have humanitarian interests. The contact with the young audience is always very gratifying.
MAA took part in the "Winter Market" organised by the International School of Geneva on November 22nd and 23rd 2008. It was a good opportunity to sell, amongst other small Christmas gifts, Massai women's handcraft which we are promoting, in order to ensure a little income that will allow them to school their children properly. Wooden statuettes, little leather bags, calabashes, bead bracelets and batiks are still available to purchase. Please contact (+41) 79 253 1939.
Thanks to Françoise and Hélène, MAA held a stand inside the BNP Paribas bank, during an event gathering charities in which the bank employees and associates take part. They themselves are in charge of the animation and of selling handcraft for end of year celebrations.
MAA is hosting on its website www.e-solidarity.org a "parent" site about the Research Team on FGM – feminine genital mutilations – from Nouakchott University , MAURITANIA . Don't hesitate to check out the wonderful work undertaken by our friends from Mauritania :

http://www.e-solidarity.org/ERMGF.htm

MAA offers information, accounts and documents in support to students who are interested in carrying out a Master thesis or end of Secondary school research about FGM.

In 2008 we supported: Miss Thorens for her Maturity research (4 th year of secondary school) and Miss François who is pursuing a Master's degree in Anthropology at Lausanne University . We would like to thank these two students for the interest they showed regarding this hot and sadly still up to date topic, which consists in a serious violation of Children's and Women's Rights.

Projects

MAA is proud to announce that its project about ‹‹eradicating FGM in Kenya››, planned to last 3 years (2008-2011) and with the ambition to cover 6 Districts very affected by these harmful practices in Kenya , has been approved and will be financed up to 50% by the International Solidarity Service of GENEVA STATE.

A first sum has already been paid to us for the 2008-2009 activities which will take place to start with in 3 Districts: Narok (in majority Massai), Isiolo (in majority Borana) and Kajiado (in majority Massai).

Annie has already carried out a 3 week mission in Kenya , during which she established the structures related to staff and means for the continuity of the project. 30 motivated people were hired and will work with MAA, either on a paid or on a voluntary basis. Katy, another member of the committee, is getting ready to also travel to Kenya in January, with the same goals.

Our action is centred around 3 main outlines:

Targeted information given in the villages for the parents and in schools for the girls. The workshops' peak will consist in an alternative ceremony at the end of the year.
District political and especially religious authorities' active participation: We have contacted some well-known progressive Muslim figures (Cheik Haroun in Isiolo) who are going to organise broad talks with the Imams of the area. Our intention is that, about 3-4 times per year in at least one Mosque, an open discussion will take place regarding FGM and the complete opposition they stand in with the Koran's precepts. The religious argument is very important in the eyes of the audience of Muslim denomination.
Redeployment of the Traditional Birth Assistants (TBAs): Each and every TBA who will give up the practice will be enrolled in a medical improvement course for midwives, given at the provincial Hospital and specially aimed for them. They will also be receiving a midwife kit as well as a diploma at the en of the training. It must be said that these TBAs really have the will to protect and not to mutilate women: every time we would ask them if they preferred 1- 2 goats or an improvement course for midwives, they always liked best the idea of a training course as an alternative income. The credit is all theirs.

Annie C. with a Borana TBA

Dr Ismail and Cheik Haroun in Isiolo

Collaborators of MAA in Narok: Alice Seleyian, Mepukori, Annie C., Peter Kedoki, Jerusha.

Open Letter to the Minister of Medical Services of Kenya

MAA is going to address an open letter to the Minister Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, in order to ask him to send an official reminder to all of the country's public Hospitals that would stress the fact it is strictly forbidden to carry out excision on young girls inside the Hospital or outside with Hospital instruments. It would definitely be a good idea to remind the medical staff that boys' circumcision has nothing to do with the genital mutilation carried out on girls.

Indeed, it has been bought to our attention that some subordinate medical staff has carried out FGM for money (20chf for the circumcision of a boy, 10chf for a girl's circumcision). This is inacceptable coming from health professionals, perfectly aware that they are so doing amputating a healthy and useful part of the human body.

We are going to join to the letter 100 support signatures as a symbolic gesture. Thank you for signing our request (please ask Annie for the specific sheets +41 (0)79 2531939).

School sponsorships for girls

MAA carries on supporting about 200 children in Kenya , in majority girls (the most unlooked after) and Massai (but not only). We have seen the number of our sponsorships decrease in 2008, surely because of the general financial slushiness. However we have to keep going and continue to support those children whatever it takes, as schooling is the only hope of a better tomorrow for these children.

Rombo: Sister Anastasia, headmistress of the Primary and Secondary School « Rombo girls », where MAA supports 25 young girls in need.

We are calling out to all our friends and supporters, asking them to maintain their help to u, as we are making such good progress, and to talk about the cause we defend in order to become known to the general public.

A big thank you for your trust from the small mouths that cannot call out for help.

MAA wishes a Merry Christmas to everyone,

as well as a very Happy New Year, under the sign of Friendship

and Fraternity between peoples. Our best wishes to you and your families.

For the MAA Committee

Annie and Françoise,

and Katy for the English version

www.e-solidarity.org

NEWSLETTER, July 2008

Dear members and friends, Although many of you have already left on summer vacation, we would like to give you our latest news, because we mustn't forget M.A.A is an association that works for those "who don't get the right to go on holiday". We are referring here obviously to children in Africa who, not only don't get any rest and perform nearly all the domestic and agricultural work, as well as little improvised jobs, but also don't get the chance to go to school, lacking means. Here is our news:

Projects and activities on the way

MAA is trying to send to Kenya as a present to the Massai youth football equipments received as a gift from the Ligue Tessinoise (Swiss-Italian speaking club) of Geneva and the Servette Football Club. We are actively looking for a way to do so, and the cheapest possible (by boat, and therefore by renting part of a "container"). If you know any addresses or acquaintances in freight companies, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Thanks to the Salon International du Livre et de la Presse 2008 (International Book and Press Exhibition 2008) of Geneva , MAA got given through the « Le Don du Livre » association, 200 French books for school aged children and 200 English books of similar content. We are therefore going to send: - 200 books to rural schools in Kenya (English speaking) and - 200 books to schools in Mauritania (French speaking). All these books gathered during the exhibition were donated by kind visitors and are all in very good state. The « Le Don du Livre » association sorts and classifies them afterwards, as to put them on offer for free for associations and organisations active in the fourth-world in Europe as well as with southern countries. A beautiful gesture that deserves congratulations and support.

MAA held its traditional stand on June 20-21-22 during the Music Festival in Geneva , in the old town. Many volunteers came along to help us out, sometimes standing on their feet to serve for hours.

We thank them very deeply!

At times, we could count up to 7 different languages spoken at our stand! All of that to say that cultural diversity is something that the MAA members and volunteers hold as very important, and that solidarity between people doesn't stop at language barriers. Thank you once more to those who came round to say hello to us and treat themselves to a drink or a plate of food at our stand. The competition is harsh as about 50 charitable associations take part every year in this event after having been selected by the Town Council of Geneva on very strict criteria. MAA dedicates the whole profit from this activity to paying scholarships for young Massai girls without means in Kenya . The number of children's sponsorship by individuals being relatively stagnant, we are trying to cover the scholarship fees of most divested Massai pupils with volunteer activities that generate funds, just like the Music Festival.

MAA has sent a membership request as NGO in consultative status with ECOSOC – UN Economic and Social Council. After a correspondence exchange and many corrections to meet the requirements of the « NGO Section/DESA » Committee, our application will be taken into account. To this day, there are 3051 organisations worldwide that have been granted with the consultative status by ECOSOC.

MAA has submitted to the International Solidarity Service of the state of Geneva an ambitious project that will take place over 3 years in 6 different districts in Kenya , concerning consciousness-raising and aiming changes relatively to FGM (feminine genital mutilation). It's based on the axis: targeted information ® children-parents awareness ® involvement of the local child welfare authorities ® health organisations ® organising alternative ceremonies to prevent harmful traditions on the school, village, religious levels ® multiplying changes by a "distribution effect" of initiated centres (each initiated person will have the task to initiate people in the next year).

Thousands of young girls are victims every year of mutilations in Kenya and dozen or hundreds die, due to bleeding consequences. Hundreds of rural women die giving birth, even in hospital facilities, because the damages due to FGM are beyond repair, irreversible and deteriorate health on a long term basis. The project is being elaborated with the help of suggestions from the State International Solidarity Service.

MAA has contacted Mrs Khady Koita, a great feminine figure in the fight against FGM in Africa . A member of our committee, Syrle Batista, who is a friend of Khady, put us in contact with her.

Brave and energetic, she fights for human dignity and especially for "the prevention of traditional practices harmful to children and women's health". Her autobiographic book "Mutilated" made her very popular.

We submitted her with some questions to understand better the approach of Muslim women, who largely perpetuate the harmful practice of excision. Our goal being obviously to better define the subject, keeping in mind our multi-language and multi-confessional campaign in Kenya . Mrs Koita answered us with precision and much kindness, and we thank her very much in deed. We hope to be able to invite her soon for an open-to-all conference in Geneva , where she will have the opportunity to share her immense experience and her out of ordinary route. She is very asked for all around Europe and worldwide for her courage and her infallible involvement.

MAA has sealed a partnership with the ERMGF (Research Group for Feminine Genital Mutilation) in Mauritania .

Under the direction of Prof. Sow, this group is linked with Nouakchott University , in Mauritania , Faculty of Humanities and Human Sciences. Mrs Annie Corsini-Karagouni has been invited by the ERMGF to give a set of seminaries about FGM in Mauritania , in hospital and rural background and among local women's associations. The ERMGF will in return be an important support for MAA's projects concerning the eradication of excision by providing advice about Muslim people's culture, tradition and sensitivity, a population very affected by the harmful tradition in Kenya as well as in Mauritania .

Mrs Annie Corsini-Karagouni, president of MAA, took part in July in the meeting organised by the UEMOA – West African Economic and Monetary Union – in Dakar , on the topic « the Agenda 21 for Culture ».

This was a unique opportunity to note positively the different views on notions like culture development, towns and governments' local cultural politics, intercultural dialog and diversity promotion, seen by partners such as, on the one hand the Towns of Lille and Marseille (France), the Town of Barcelona (Spain), and on the other, local and parliamentaryelected representative from Cotonou (Benin), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Bamako (Mali), Niamey (Niger), Dakar (Senegal) et Lomé (Togo). A wonderful experience as regards North-South cooperation, which emphasised our cultural differences but even more our shared needs concerning the set up of arrangements (infrastructure, training) by municipalities and governments. Huge efforts therefore still need to be done.

Dakar , UEMOA Colloquium, July 2008.

MAA congratulates the Equality between men and women Promotion Service (SPPE) of Geneva State for its project relative to « the consciousness-raising of Sudan , Somalia , Ethiopia and Eritrea Nationals, living in the State of Geneva , about the question of FGM ».

This project went from September 2007 to June 2008, in Geneva , with the collaboration of Camarada (Centre for immigrant women). MAA, which is a member of the Conducting Committee of this project as a concerned NGO, took part in various events and meetings of the project, as much in the training of « cultural mediators » from the four communities, as by collaborating and taking part actively in the women's meetings with whom MAA bound strong mutual friendships. The members of MAA who took part in this project were: Katy, Syrle and Annie.

Peek of the project's closure evening (House of Associations), project supported and managed by the State of Geneva, in collaboration with the communities from the countries of the Horn of Africa.

Annie and three of the Somalian cultural mediators. June 2008

MAA wishes a beautiful summer to everyone, as well as nice sunny and restful holidays to those who haven't left yet.

Best wishes, see you soon, For the MAA committee Annie and Françoise, and Katy for the English version

www.e-solidarity.org

Activity report 2007

as presented in the General Assembly 12 Feb 2008.

Dear members and friends of M.A.A.,

This report gives you in detail all the activities carried out by MAA during our 4th year since its foundation.

As you can read, we carried out various, challenging projects. By the end of 2007, M.A.A. provided school sponsorships –grants, to 200 needy children in Kenya , in majority girls from Maasai ethnic group. The first caracteristic in MAA’s actions is the continuity and the constant support given to Maasai villages we are working with. Our support was especially appreciated in Narok and Kajiado Districts of Kenya .

Projects and realizations

Here are the implemented projects :

The number of sponsored pupils by MAA in all education levels (from kinder-garden, primary and secondary schools) has progressed from 90 children in 2005 to 200 children in 2007. Majority of these pupils from Maasai origin comprise (90%), (85%) being girls.

This encouraging result has been achieved thanks to private donors who take nominatively a child under their protection (paying for her food, school fees, uniform etc). Every Godfather/Godmother is informed about the sponsored girl and receives once every year pictures and school report on her progress. We greatly thank BNP Paribas Foundation for providing school sponorships through MAA.

One year after constructing a dormitory and school kitchen beside the primary school of Ilntumtum village that caters for50 Maasai children living far from school, we decided to further help this project. MAA came up with an idea of providing a yearly food plan to 12 girls from nearby villages, while they board in the dormitory during the week. Indeed the Kenya governement provides all District schools with a day meal for every pupil, but this is not enough while boarding in the dormitory. Because many parents are unable to afford the other two meals for the day, MAA provides these meals to these girl pupils in order to encourage them to learn and to protect them from early forced marraiges.

Two new classrooms were successfully constructed by MAA for Elerai Enkare Primary School in Rombo / Oloitokitok area of Kajiado District). The principal sponsor for this project was the State of Geneva, Service of International Solidarity which covered 50% of the provisional budget. A generous private donor, as well as several municipalities in Geneva Canton have contributed financially to this project. The two class rooms (50 m2 each), completely furnished are able to host 80-100 additional pupils in Primary School. We give our sincere thanks to all sponsors especially the “UN Women Guild” in Geneva .

During 2007, MAA has intensified its preventive action regarding FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) among Maasai community. Ways in which MAA is fighting against FGM includes giving information campaigns in villages and schools, awarness dissimination by seminars and workshops, and encouraging alternative solutions in Kenya and Switzerland .

Precisely, during 2007 MAA :

Has organized more than 10 seminars and workshops reflecting the bad effects of FGM. These seminars and workshops have been attended by more than 800 women and men in Kenya. We conduct our seminars especially into small rural villages, in churches, in schools, sometimes in the meeting point of the village, under trees.

On 24th of March 2007 MAA held in Geneva Switzerland a diner meeting with religious and community leaders. This reunion was destined to the immigrant of Somali women community of Geneva . 25 Somali women attended this event, where FGM information was given simultaneously in French and Somali language, thanks to the help of DARYEEL – a Somali association in Geneva .

MAA is supporting financially 7 Maasai women cooperatives in Kenya registering 20-50 women each. The members of these women groups are Maasai mothers committed NOT to cut their girls. The decision to create women groups was taken by the mothers after they had attended our seminars and because they are determined to change the bad tradition. They prepare traditional Maasai beadwork in the villages, send it to MAA ( Switzerland ) where they are sold in every event we organize along the year. Once or twice a year MAA sends back money to the women cooperatives in Kenya . By doing so, MAA rewards the commitment and courage of Maasai mothers who often undergo domestic violence and physical abuse because of resisting to husbands pressure and wanting to preserve their girl’s body integrity.

Finally,

Between November and December 2007, MAA held 4 alternative ceremonies in 4 different parts of Kenya , allowing 170 girls to escape from the ritual FGM . Our staff and local trainers held alternative “Rite of Passage” ceremonies in schools and churches. These ceremonies allow girls from 12 to 14 years to go through another ritual, similar to the “traditional circumcision” avoiding the “cutting part”, mutilation and bleeding. These initiations lasted 2 days in every village :

The first day of the seminar comprises of a workshop for the initiates and their parents, and
The next day is the celebration ceremony for the whole village just like in the traditional circumcision ceremonies.

The testimonies from these ceremonies are very encouraging. Village people loved “the other way”, and the feed back from parents and teachers is more than positive. Everyone enjoyed the ceremony, the girls sang and dansed ritual songs and danses, performed traditionally by the mutilated girls and their mates. MAA offered T-shirts to all girl graduates with the wordings: “I am a free FGM generation” as well as certificates of graduation. As a result of this first positive impact on replacing FGM ceremony with an alternative ritual, MAA is wishing to multiply by 10 next year the operation. We hope to find the funds necessary to exetnd the concept in more villages and schools. However, FGM issue is quite taboo in Western countries as in Africa , thus making it difficult for us to get funds for this purpose.

M.A.A. participated as usual at the « Fête de la Musique » 2007 organised by the City of Geneva on the summer solstice day. This local musical event lasts a whole week-end taking place in the middle of the old town. MAA participates every year with a stand selling Kenyan food, Greek food and Brasilien coctails (all the nationalities of MAA committee members). Eating chapatis and Muchuzi and drinking Caipirhinia (Brasizilian cocktail) is a way for the Swiss public to enjoy the feast and at the same time help us with funds for the children projects in Kenya . The committee members worked tirelessly for 3 days and nights, under the “music fever”. We thank all the volumteers who helped us to make it a success.

MAA paid the orthopedic surgery operation to 3 small Maasai children, suffering congenital infirmities (no legs, a club foot, a one handed girl). The surgery took place in Kijabe Hospital , by the Dr Tim Mead – CURE Kenya .

The well known Brasilian photographer Erico HILLER followed the FGM campaign in Kenya during May and June 2007, accompanying Annie through the village seminars in Rombo. Therafter he realized an article published in MARIE-CLAIRE Brazil (October edition) about FGM bad tradition and how Maasai women are copying with it. He also describes MAA role in FGM eradication and sensitization. The response from the Brazilian public was very positive. Many were shocked to learn that not far from us an ethnic group is still practicing dangerous traditions that can have severe bad effects to a woman’s health. As a result of our collaboration with Erico, we published the calendar 2008 “Maasai women portaits” in 100 examples only, which sold out very rapidly. The photos were offered by Erico to MAA.

Two committee membres, Annie and Judith travelled to Kenya in the course of the year to supervise our projects and meet collaborators and beneficiaries..

To all our donors, we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for trusting and supporting MAA actions. Our special thanks go to:

International Solidarity Service (State of Geneva )
Town council of Présinge, Lancy, Satigny and Chêne Bourg
The Geneva UNWG (UN Women Guild)
The BNP Paribas Suisse Foundation
All the members and donors for their support.

Special thanks to our principal Kenyan collaborators: Mrs. Alice Seleyian and Mr. Joseph Nkanoni Ole Lempira for their commitment and excellent work.

1 February 2008, Geneva.

Annie Corsini-Karagouni

President

Note : To become a member of M.A.A. you have either to sponsor primary education of a girl (35 CHF or 23 € or 26 $/ month) or sponsor High school education of a girl with 50 CHF or 34 € or 38 $ /month, or make any donation.