How one Person can Make a Difference

What set a man or woman apart as hero? Every organization has stories about people who are remembered for their sacrifice and labor. Surely the weight of the cause, along with the demonstration of generosity, compassion and character distinguishes these people. Heroism is necessitated by the heart that is willing to ensure that all children have a "first call" on the world resources and first place in the minds and hearts of the worlds adults and that all adults hear the voices of children and speak with as well as for them. As ELAND continue to respond to the children voices and be the voice of the invisible Maasai children, the question we often ask, "Where can we find helping hands?" The answer is found in the story of a young high school man like Jared Allen.

This past summer Jared a 16 years old young man from Atlanta was fortunate enough to travel to Tanzania and Kenya with his family. He enjoyed the unbelievable animals and scenery.He and his family had many opportunities to converse with and witness the lives of many members of the Maasai tribe. He was able to visit a village to get a true feeling of their everyday lives and customs. The Maasai with their unbelievably friendly characteristic welcomed the Allen family into their huts, which are made of mud, dung, and thatch. The family was able to see where the Maasai lives and sleep, many times with their young cattle beside them for protection, Jared witnessed the daily everyday jobs of the Maasai child. Young Maasai boys are responsible for herding their family's cattle at an early age and they spend their days tending to them in the fields, leaving no time to study or go to school during daylight hours. Maasai girls help their mothers with chores, including walking for miles to collect water and firewood each day. Their only opportunity to study is at night in their huts where there is no electricity or running water. For light, they use kerosene lamps that are very harmful to their eyes, their lungs, and their environment. A small hole in the thatch roof is the only place for the smoke to go once it has blackened the inside of their lungs and huts.

When Jared got back home, he decided that he needed to formulate away to give back. He contacted ELAND. After a discussion with Moses Ole Kinayia -ELAND's director, Jared settled on a project that would eliminate Maasai children need for kerosene and lamps.  Jared desire was to provide every household with as school going kid in ELAND's operation area with a solar flash light. Providing Maasai household with solar flashlights is a tremendous help.  Solar flashlights  are portable, safe, efficient, and renewable. Each Maasai family would be able to save half of their money each year just by not relying on kerosene any more. Maasai children would be able to study at night without harming their eyes and lungs, and they could even use the flashlights to do chores and help with livestock after sunset. The flashlights last thousands of hours and would make a world of difference to them, improving their health, their environment, and most importantly, their education.

To date Jared has raised over $6,000.00 towards this effort. Jared and ELAND's staff would really appreciate if you would join them to reach the goal of $8,000.00.  By making a tax deductible donation to ELAND to purchase solar flashlights for each household with a school going kid. Together we can help to brighten the future of the Maasai children. To join our cause and to make donations please visit ELAND online donation page. To read more on Jared story Kindly visit Pace student Raises Funds to Help Africa.