Oh God! How will I manage this? I thought we were struggling to pay fees and managing the sick in first! I knew of more dangerous problems that needs direct attention. I am also aware that cutting boys is presumably the last cultural practice to be dropped by the Maasai people. I expected though, that I would be saved from fighting yet another simple war of cultural heritage in a time when we simply have to choose our wars. Our first war, is against povery and disease. Healthy people can prosper

In our indigenous world, so many little issues can sum up to a mountain of cultural scandals and life time curse. How can I swiftly change course without creating havoc? A call from my cousin asking for ksh 50 000 for his brother’s initiation ceremony confirms to me how difficult it is to challenge your very basic roots. So much of the root that makes as distinct people is questionable and as an individual, I have taken charge on creating a slight move by dropping some harmful parts of what we perceive to be our authentic culture. I have full understanding towards my cousin but for heaven sake! I want to support people to go to school and not to buy a lot of alcohol for the society. What is it that cost ksh 50 000 to have boys circumcised? Orphanage boys with no father and a with a sick mum shouldn’t be demand to pay that much. . The boys can be initiated to adulthood cheaply affordable and medically instead of exposing yourself to economical exploitation and other medical dangers by doing it at home.

My cousin is also aware that we have numerous single mothers depending on what we contribute for them monthly. His own mum is under medication and HIV/AIDS management. What we need to do now is to prepare an emergency fund for crisis times ahead.

Apparently, it becomes my personal responsibility to help out here because my country is not strong enough to do it for her self! Or rather, the system hasn’t functioned yet! A strong country takes care of its people first, then everything comes second. In our world 90% of the population still comes last. The majority poor struggle upon a very limited source of lively hood while a few lives as kings and queens.

Although still a youngster at his 20s, my cousin, a newly trained soldier has it, that he is obliged to provide for his misfortuned family with his little army salary and good family management but his good will just as mine is undermined by so much misery in the area. What a tiresome project!

However, my cousin and I has to know that when the situation is like this, we are simply forced to prioritize and finance poverty eradication projects than financing cultural ceremonies that caters mostly for the pride and prestige rather than survival.

My little cousin knows in his heart that I love him and his family but I am honest to myself and to my abilities.

I am not capable of  financing a societal ceremony  costing ksh 50 000 which you don’t have! In fact, I would be ready to call for a support party at our place, sell alcoholic drinks and food to my family friends solicite funds for your brothers’ high school fees. I am sure you’ll not take this as rejection because you know where I stand on this issue! I am aware of the sensitivity of the ceremony hence giving me the opportunity to bring home the change, real as you now experience on what we are talking about.

I want the boys to be cut and I will also let mine be cut. What am demonstrating here is , the idea of paying more that what you have, choosing ethnic pride more than your survival. Spending 50.000 kenya shillings on such an activity in a world where food is seldom a basic necessity is too me undefendable. I hope you grasp my argument.

In July, I paid ksh 37 000 for your mothers hospital bill, i also provided her with a  humble housing at my place and i hope your siblings and particularly you sister who is also single mother is doing good. My dream is too see her back in school after one year from now.

Another cousin, is also in need of help. She is also an hiv orphan. She’s trained in the hotel management and looks forward to getting a job. Do you know of anybody who can employ her? This girls has no one to advocate for her apart from well wishers. You, also need to save some money for your own family or aren’t you planning to settle? You told me you are getting dynamic!

I don’t regard our culture as bad but some activities and attitudes are dangerous to our survival. That you are getting independent from harmful culture was my expectation and I believed that you can stand against cultural influence. No person of sound mine expect you to pay for such an expensive party when you can’t afford basic requirement for your siblings and proper medication for your dear mum.

I want to make an impact but I can’t do it alone. Please help me! Be radical! Convince your brothers too. They are the real change. Other wise we will not make it to the promised land!

In fact, the society should make arrangements to wholly sponsor your siblings initiation ceremony. The Putunoi’s and Kaparo’s, particularly the “Royals”- I means the speaker you know…. should fix this without being asked. He ‘s your late daddy’s cousin isn’t he? Tell me he’s forgotten it? He’s supposed to sponsor you and your brothers… Yeah, according to the Maasai welfare.

We have to be realistic and avoid allussinating ourselves with false expectations. My friend, I am student hear! My friend Elin too! My wife is on maternity leave.  MAGI, our new frontier(Ideal organization) is going to facilitate our grass root community work. MAGI will be launched soon and she’ll be our guiding star but before we are settled, you and your siblings, as well as mine has to be fed, have access to medicine, school and water as we advance towards real changes.

This are fundamental requirements for all people. A country is independent when it can provide at least 90% of these basic needs.

My embarrassment is when trying to answer the whether your country is independent given the fact that years has passed since we first called ourselves a free sovereign state!

I hope you will talk to the elders to come with their own alcohol drinks to the party and you make them some food. You have more than five gots, you can slaughter 3 gots and make pilau.

Take the boys to the hospital in Nanyuki and protect your sisters from genital mutilation. Your brothers would get direct help from my family after the operation.

We will pay for their up keep for two months.  Again, they are soon admitted in secondary hence you know what is waiting. How are you going to finance that? You see, the 50 000 you want to spend on alcohol for the elders can go to your brothers fees.

The elders can be responsible and actually pay double for the pilau you make since children belong to the elders.

This is mandatory for a better cooperation. Your dreams are vividly a life and the light on your life’s candle is perfectly burning and not a single frustration ever puts it off.  Any challenge that doesn’t kill you, gives you the right to live! Give me your reaction. Take care my dear cousin.