“No sooner would we begin teaching the Massai and they would pick up stakes and leave,” said Seredi, one of the directors of YWAM Morogoro, describing the early trials of working with the nomadic Massai tribe. But soon an understanding was established, YWAM would happily teach them the skills the Massai requested but they would have to stay in the area. After a long period of negotiating and building trust with various tribal groups, the Massai came to an agreement with YWAM who helped them establish more permanent villages enabling several classes to began.

YWAM Morogoro has invested many years into their work with the Massai tribe, especially with the Massai women who are the unofficial heads of the household and are the initiators in terms of further education. The lessons include Swahili and basic math lessons three times a week, which have proved beneficial in the markets where the Massai are no longer taken advantage of by people claiming to help them. The women are also taking sewing classes enabling them to generate income by selling their traditional garments, as well as cloth school bags and other useful items.

Sewing and basic education are just two tools used by YWAM Morogoro to help empower the Massai people. Other classes vary from agricultural training to carpentry to shoe-making and leather processing. It is an inspiration to see so many women taking hold of opportunities to enjoy education and adapting it to fit with their culture.