It has now been 6 years since my first initial visit into Masai land, to try and assist these very proud people with food and a make-shift dispensary. These nomadic tribes people live a very different lifestyle from the local community (primarily Chagga tribe) and some of their traditions take a lot of understanding, circumcision for girls being one.
Even though it is against the Tanzanian law, it would appear children are being circumcised at an early age so they cannot complain to the authorities about it, or run away.
At one of our out-reach dispensaries, we were brought an 18 months old little girl who had been circumcised 6 months previously, she was in need of an immediate operation as it was taking her 40 minute to pass urine. LIA has since paid for 4 further operations for this child…
After witnessing this ritual on a child so young (usually it is right of passage, at about 11/12 years of age) I decided that I had to really address this issue. I informed the circle of all the Masai mamas including the witchdoctor who had performed the operation, and I really vented and cried, that LIA really tried to help this community with food and medicines and many children wh had been seriously sick or ”at risk” had recovered from our intervention, but to circumcise a little innocent child who would now require operations for the remainder of her life, I just cannot accept this as they are breaking the law.
I also said I could not help them further whilst this practice continued.
Even though it is against the Tanzanian law, it would appear children are being circumcised at an early age so they cannot complain to the authorities about it, or run away.
At one of our out-reach dispensaries, we were brought an 18 months old little girl who had been circumcised 6 months previously, she was in need of an immediate operation as it was taking her 40 minute to pass urine. LIA has since paid for 4 further operations for this child…
After witnessing this ritual on a child so young (usually it is right of passage, at about 11/12 years of age) I decided that I had to really address this issue. I informed the circle of all the Masai mamas including the witchdoctor who had performed the operation, and I really vented and cried, that LIA really tried to help this community with food and medicines and many children wh had been seriously sick or ”at risk” had recovered from our intervention, but to circumcise a little innocent child who would now require operations for the remainder of her life, I just cannot accept this as they are breaking the law.
I also said I could not help them further whilst this practice continued.
Six weeks later, a delegation of Maasai morans, who had asked a school teacher to write me a letter in English came to visit with me. The letter said, that if we will come back into the village, they promise they will not continue the practice. Praise God, Hallelujah!
LKE
LKE
The old traditions of beauty are being enhanced with a pair of sunglasses
