News from the Maasai
Daniel Salau at the United Nations Forum on Global Climate Change
Daniel Salau spoke at the United Nations Forum on Global Climate Change on Thursday, September 6th. This year's theme was Climate Change: How It Impacts Us All. The conference was webcast and could be viewed at the NGO/DPI website: http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/conference/
The UN recognizes that Indigenous Peoples possess a unique body of cultural and environmental knowledge. For many Indigenous Peoples, global climate change is an already-experienced reality that threatens continued widespread negative impact on their diverse cultures and ways of life. In many parts of the world they are among the first victims of these changes.
A Victory for Indigenous Rights
New York - September 13, 2007 - At long last, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a reality. It was adopted today by the United Nations General Assembly by a vote of 143 to 4 with 11 abstentions.
The declaration spells out the fundamental rights of indigenous peoples including their right to their traditional lands and resources; their right to give their free, prior, and informed consent before governments take actions that negatively affect them; their right to be free from genocide and forced relocation; and their rights to their languages, cultures and spiritual beliefs. At long last the world's native peoples have a valuable tool for regaining some of the cultural and physical ground they have lost over the past 500 years.
"Today, by adopting the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples we are making further progress to improve the situation of indigenous peoples around the world," stated General Assembly President Haya Al Khalifa. "We are also taking another major step forward towards the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warmly welcomed the adoption, calling it "a triumph for indigenous peoples around the world." He further noted that "this marks a historic moment when UN Member States and indigenous peoples reconciled with their painful histories and resolved to move forward together on the path of human rights, justice and development for all."
Today's happy moment did not come easily. The declaration underwent a longer period of debate and negotiation--25 years all told--than any other international agreement in United Nations history. During those years, hundreds of thousands of indigenous peoples were routed from their homes, massacred in their villages, had their sacred sites defiled, and their lands and resources appropriated. Even with the declaration now adopted, many of these problems will continue unless nations live up to the principals in the document.
Unfortunately, the United States stands to be one of these problem states. It was one of the four countries (along with Canada, New Zealand, and Australia) that voted against the declaration. Its vote sends a message to Native Americans and to the world that once again the United States is not prepared to take action to support human rights, even when those rights benefit American citizens.
The four "no" votes did not dampen the enthusiasm of Indigenous Peoples for today's outcome. As Indigenous Peoples Caucus president and Cultural Survival Program Council member Les Malezer stated in his statement following the vote, "The Declaration gives [Indigenous Peoples] the platform for addressing the continuing abuses of human rights against Indigenous Peoples and for shaping a future where it can be realized that all peoples are truly equal."
About Cultural Survival
Founded in 1972, Cultural Survival promotes the rights, voices, and visions of indigenous peoples worldwide. We work to increase global understanding of indigenous peoples' rights, cultures, and concerns and we partner with indigenous groups to advocate for their rights.
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Past News/2006
December 8, 2006
Dear Friends
The year 2006 is perhaps the best one so far in that SIMOO has been able to successfully accomplish the planned activities. This has been complimented by favorable weather conditions. Unlike last year, the rain pattern for this year has been moderate especially in the last halls of the year. We are at the moment experiencing a more than average short-rain season with lots of floods in some parts of the country. Again we are witnessing lots of water everywhere streaming coastward. Then the same cycle repeats itself; three months down the line water will be the rarest commodity.
Our challenge to break this cycle or at least reverse the trend. There is need to tap this runoff in whatever way; be it roof catchments, earth dams, rock catchments etc. The idea is to tap each an every drop and make it last an extra day.
We all know that climate change is here with us. In fact the United Nations Convention on climate change which was held last November in Nairobi affirms to the magnitude of the problem. The most hit by its effects are mainly pastoralists including the Maasai whose livelihoods directly depends on climatic conditions. The situation is further exacerbated by poor government pastoralists and their land use systems.
When the traditional livelihood is threatened, then food security in the community is compromised. Another major challenge is to sustainably address food insecurity so as to reduce vulnerability and subsequent dependency during the drought period. This can be partly done by diversifying livelihoods including venturing into other economic activities such as businesses.
The following activities have been undertaken this year:-
1) Water Projects: This remains our major challenge. Success of any other sphere of life, directly or indirectly depends on water. It is our core objective and we are optimistic to achieve it in the next four years. In this year, we have been able to achieve the following:-
a) Two wells have been drilled at Ilngarooj and Olmeroi villages. The Ilngarooj well dubbed as St. Peters well and supported by Byer's Choice through MCEP has in output capacity of 4,000 liters per hour. About 3,500 people and over 10,000 livestock directly benefit from this well.
The Olmeroi well, which shall be duly launched on the 16th December, 2006 by the Minister for Water, has been sponsored by the Rotary Club of Doylestown, U.S.A. in partnership with the Rotary Club of Langata, Nairobi. The well has an output of 3,500 liters per hour and shall benefit about 2,500 people and over 10,000 livestock.
b) Construction of Earth Dams. Inspired by the Older Olosho-oibor earth dam, SIMOO was able to construct fine relatively smaller earth dams at different parts of the village. This will not only reserve the run off but it shall greatly reduce the trekking of livestock to the only Olosho-oibor dam which is far as ten miles from different points. As a result, the livestock shall remain strong and healthy and probably survive through the drought period.
This project has been supported by the University Presbyterian Church.
c) Roof Water Catchments The greatest benefit of this is perhaps quality rather than quantity. Tapping the roof water and collecting it in cistern provides a source of clean water safe for drinking. SIMOO has so far in this year expended plastic cisterns to 400 (four hundred) households. The cisterns range between 1,100 liters to 2,300 liters depending on the size of the family. This has enough capacity to provide clean water for drinking only,throughout a season.
Other indirect benefits that come with availability of water includes improved education and steady school enrollment. Women also get more time to do other worthwhile jobs not to mention improvement of houses so as to tap the roof water.
2. Hay Production – SIMOO encourages farmers to cut grass at the time of plenty and store them for future usage. This is intended to reduce effect of drought and minimize the movement of livestock in search for the same pasture.
To successfully realize this it is necessary to fence off some portion of land so as to protect from premature damage by both domestic animals and wildlife.
SIMOO with the support of University Presbyterian Church has fenced twenty-five farms of one acre each this year for its project. Part of the land is for grass harvesting while another portion is for growing of drought tolerant crops to supplement livestock products.
3. Education – This is another important priority area for SIMOO. Twenty three (23) needy primary school kids and one high school student have been supported with funds from MCEP. At the University level, two students namely Samson Tirike and Faith Nemayian are being supported by Presbyterian University Church. Likewise, Pariel Salau who is an employee of SIMOO is being supported by Tribal Link Foundation. All are in Daystar University in Nairobi. Francis Sakuda the Director of SIMOO has just graduated from USIU with a Master degree having been sponsored by Fund Foundation.
4. Women Empowerment Program. Maasai Women Education and Empowerment Program is an affiliation of SIMOO and its members are not only involved in beadwork as an economic activity but are also integrating i.e. with adult education. Two of the members who are mature women are currently in high school. The group intends to process milk products both for domestic use and for sale.
Another newly initiated Oloirien Women Group are partnering with MCEP through Maasai Arts & Tours a local company, to establish a consensus initiative to export handcrafts to the US market. Over 100 women will be involved and shall directly benefit from this project. This shall positively impact on their social economic well-being.
5. Linking the Village with intermediate processes. Most of the international UN processes, if not all has irreversible effects on the lives of indigenous peoples.The Maasai is one of the indigenous communities in Kenya. The UN defines indigenous peoples as those who "emborders fragile ecosystems, practice traditional livelihoods, still value their cultural, heritage and marginalized politically and economically." The Maasai fits into this broad definition.
SIMOO has been ably represented at the UN permanent forum for Indigenous Peoples in New York in mid this year. Indigenous peoples seek not only recognition but participation in national affairs and decision making processes especially those which directly affects them. They therefore lobby with their respective governments through the UN platform.
SIMOO's participation in this was supported by Tribal Link Foundation. The recent process is the UN conventions on climate change held in Nairobi last month. It deliberated on measures that continues should take to mitigate adverse effects of climate change.
CHALLENGES
1. SIMOO is under pressure from other villages and districts occupied by the Maasai who are equally in need of water and development. At the moment, Olosho-oibor village is particularly under pressure as people from other villages migrate to share the water.
2. Need for financial resources - Most of there projects are capital intensive. Moreover, budgets are never consistent due to changes in fuel prices, poor infrastructure after the rains, inflation etc. For example, last year, USD 30,000 is enough to drill a well, install a pump and diesel engine and construct a cistern. This has linked to $40,000.
Francis
.
Oct 12, 2006
Dear Friend,
Receive warm greetings full of love from the Maasai of the Rift Valley in Kenya. I am happy to inform you that, though you live far in a place feel that you are living very close to me as a good neighbor and a friend. The Rift valley is a dry semi-arid and arid land, which has hardship due to natural land formations with salty lakes and elevations below sea level. This makes our life very challenging. However with a friend like you, our lives have been improved and your continuous help is assuring our existence.
In the most recent past, we were able to drill another two wells, which ranged from 150 meters and 230 meters under the ground. These wells are in addition to the one we drilled in December 2005.Our people and livestock have clean water because of what you have done for us. Through your contribution, you helped to sustain the lives of the most marginalized people in this region of the world. You can read about the Maasai hardships in the most recent National Geographic magazine. We are now experiencing the dry season which may last up to eight months until April next year. By March of every year most livestock die due to dehydration and starvation. This affects families who entirely depend on livestock for food and shelter. We therefore thank you for your support.
Our Organization SIMOO (Simba Maasai Outreach Organization) intends to drill more wells in five villages of Olosho-oibor, Saikeri, Kimuka, Ilngarooj, and Ewuaso. Clean water has improved women’s health that walk several miles daily to bring home 40 to 60 liters of water. The journey has been reduced by 45% for the villages affected. Other villages need help too. Your help and moral support will help us reduce the effects of marginalization of our tribe.
In education, only 20% of school age children go to schools. Schools, like water points, are few and far. Our children walk several miles daily in search of knowledge through formal education. I am happy to inform you that through your contributions we are currently supporting 23 elementary school children to go to school. One high school student is also being sponsored through the funds from MCEP (Maasai Cultural Exchange Project).
I am writing to thank you all for your support for education and water. Our women are so grateful. They can now do extra activities such as beadwork because of the time they have in a day. Thank you once again and we hope to continue our partnership for the benefit of the world’s people.
You Maasai Friend,
Francis ole Sakuda
Director SIMOO
