We went to the Enonkishu Visitor Center to learn more about Enonkishu and the conservancy model. David had told us there would be women there who could teach us how to do beadwork. The children, especially AY, was interested in learning how to bead.
A few lovely ladies, all of who’s names began with the letter “J”, Jackie, Josephine, and Jesse were there to receive us. They are all Maasai women whose families are part of the conservancy. They are hired by the conservancy to staff the visitor center. Jackie spoke the best English and was happy to walk us through and share the origins and development of Enonkishu.
All of the ladies were friendly and warm. They were happy to teach us how to bead in the traditional way. Over handicrafts, it is easy for women to chat and before long, we were sharing stories of a movie Jackie had watched about an American woman who married a Maasai man which came to her mind, because I was telling her about a book I read about an Israeli women who lived with the Maasai for over 20 years.
The beading was a favorite among the children. I knew AY would love it and I was pleased that RY and DY took to it as well. EY is a little young to manage the tiny beads so she played happily in the other areas of the center.
A few days later, the kids wanted to go back to the center again to complete some of the beading ideas they came up with. It was a happy reunion when we returned to the visitor center again.
