You and the massai

[Elyse Orecchio]

Hi! Since the Massai, especially the elders, are so adverse to tourists, how did you come to befriend them and earn their trust, especially the one who helped you with the book?

[Cristina Kessler]

Supa Elyse,

Over the years I had many encounters with the Maasai, and saw their life changing. I decided to write a book about the changes happening. I met Kakuta after I started writing this book, but have been to his village twice. His father told me on my last visit that I was a real Maasai because I came back. Kakuta and I met on the Internet when I was looking for what I often call my "culture cop" who can make sure that what I write is culturally correct. Kakuta has been adopted by the island of St. John and been here 5 times. The St. John schools and community have raised over $30,000 for Kakuta's community activities. He has started an organization called the Maasai Association, where they work to improve village life, while maintaining the beauty of the Maasai culture. He believes in being agents of change rather than victims of change, just like Namelok.

[Elyse Orecchio]

Wow, the internet! Reading the book it's hard to imagine any of them online! It's so interesting how one tribesman can be on a computer while others don't know how to count or write their name

[Cristina Kessler]

Kakuta is a rare Maasai. He has jsut earned a Master's degree in Sustainable Development, built an elementary and high school in his village, a clinic and renovated tradtional waterholes. The schools have only Maasai teachers which really makes them unique. Kakuta spends 6 - 7 months in the village every year, and the rest of the time in the states, raising money. He is one of the most amazing people on the planet, who I asked to help me because of his fierce pride in being Maasai, and efforts to keep the culture vibrant while changing. When I stay in his village it's like being on another planet, with no electricity, no TVs, no computers, but lots of incredible singing and dancing and just sitting around and talking.