Beads For Education

MAASAI WOMEN’S GROUP

The Maasai People of Kenya and Tanzania were portrayed in “Out of Africa” as both the continent’s fiercest warriors. They resisted European colonization and remain one of the only indigenous African people to retain much of their traditional culture. The Maasai are looking for ways to adapt to the surrounding culture while keeping their unique identity.

Modern Maasai want their children to be educated and gainfully employed. In 1998, Beads for Education started sponsoring girls’ education in Kenya. We are helping the Dupoto Women’s Group to sell their intricate beadwork to a broad constituency, particularly in the U.S. Today over 500 girls are either enrolled in school or have graduated from the program. Sponsorship begins in 4th grade and continues through college.

Beads for Education founder Debby Rooney says “When I first visited Kenya in 1991, I fell in love with the people. In 1993, I started Beads because I believe that to educate a girl is to educate a village – and a nation. Our girls have shown the wisdom of this as they graduate from college, marry and become successful members of their communities. It is my great honor to be called N’goto Entoinye by our Maasai and Kenyan communities, which means ‘mother of many girls.’ All of the sponsored girls, their families and I thank you for your kind support.”