Venturing to Maasai Homes

The day started off with alarms, causing us to roll out of bed all a bit tired. However as we drove to the school on the familiar yet comforting bumpy road, excitement filled us all. For me (Zoe) I was excited to understand how the Orkeeswa students travel to and from school everyday along with what they went home to. I was grouped with Juwon and led by two Orkeeswa students named Elina and Nawasa. As we walked towards Nawasa's Boma all around was filled with nature, wildlife, and people that always greeted us with a smile. Although these people have only just met us, the constant feeling of comfort never failed to shine through the quick yet strong interactions. As the walk came to an end, Nawasa said how the route could take her 5-10 minutes if she ran, which was unbelievable because the walk wasn't just long but also the terrain was bumpy, filled with holes and many hills to go up and down. That comment further allowed me to understand that to these students that was just an everyday normality. 
As we arrived at the Boma we were quickly introduced to her family along with her stepmother who showcased their culture's tradition of men being allowed to have more than one wife/partner. A moment that stuck out to me strongly during the visit was the first comments each family member shared - “I love you.” The way that it was said, although there was a language barrier, was still so strong and moving. Along with the kind words was the act of gifting. Nawasa’s family made Juwon and I necklaces that clearly showed how much time and care was put into the making of it. I will forever cherish that beautiful gesture. 
As we left the Boma and headed to the market I began to shift closer to Elina. The one hour walk was filled with shared conversations about our cultures, traditions and political opinions/laws. The way we both viewed/understood what was right or wrong was greatly different. As we arrived at the market, Elina explained that her Boma was only 2 minutes away from it and insisted we go. When she said that I asked, “How long does it take you to walk to school?” She responded that it takes 1 hour and 30 minutes everyday. I was very surprised because after I walked from Orkeeswa to the Boma then to the market, tiredness fell over me very quickly, but she just smiled and said how she was so used to it that tiredness fails to exist. This positive attitude is found on every student's face each and every second which I felt showed how grateful they all are. 
After going to Elina's house I noticed an instant shift in wealth, both Nawsa and Elina's Bomas were different, which showcased the wealth differences between people in Tanzania. Besides the idea of livestock representing wealth, a way a Boma was built indicated it as well. Nawasa’s was located far from the market and made from soil mixed with cow dung, but Elina’s house was close to the market, had a gate and also had a working television and painted cement walls. 
The special thing of the Boma visits was truly the way that the culture was shown with just one day so greatly. The students came back to eat at the lodge with us causing the bus ride to be filled with loud voices and laughter along with card games. As we arrived and sat down, conversations carried the same energy. Elina and I became very close that day with her constantly checking on me and encouraging me to finish all my dinner – especially the meat – because and I quote, “I want you to become a Maasai.” As she went to leave, she clung onto me and said she was taking me home. This made me smile all the more and made me feel so welcomed. It was a great day filled with amazing adventures told around the campfire with the rest of the GEO kids that ended with games and eventually sleep.