It has been a month since I left Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit. I have really enjoyed the past four weeks, being with my family and picking up from where I left last. Here I am at Oxford University. How different the two places are!
One of the most important things to me was to make sure that my sister was still going to school. Perhaps she will one day be able to follow in my footsteps to become a Maasai wildlife conservationist, which would be a great achievement, even more so because she is female. Maasai do not recognize any role played by women in society, and this why I want my younger sister to become one of the pioneers in a field dominated by men. Here I am being welcomed back to the community.
As I write this I have now returned to my job, working with the Lion Guardians project; I haven’t yet met any of the new Lion Guardians and am very excited to meet them and chat about my stay in the UK. It has not been easy for me since I got back to the office, especially having to tell the same stories a dozen times! But being part of the Maasai community, I have to tell everyone what I thought of the UK. The most curious aspect is what the weather was like, the type of food I was eating and what I have brought back to the community. This particularly has taken centre stage since the drought has taken most of the people’s livelihood; their livestock. I can feel the effect now and I hope with your support we can hire more Lion Guardians to bridge the gap that has been created by the drought.
There is more to come as I try to settle in. A lot has changed, from the new Lion Guardians to the new coordinator of the Eselenkei Group Ranch, Eric Ole Kesoi. The project now has twice the amount of Guardians since last I was here!
Last but not least is to wish you all belated New Year wishes and a prosperous 2010, as I bring you news of the day to day life in Maasailand and the lions. I am so glad to be back with the project and am very pleased to once again be bringing the news of the Lion Guardians to you.
Great to have you back Antony!
Welcome back and well done on your achievements in the UK!! Yes Im sure things have changed quite a bit since you left, but it must be good for you to see the progress.
I’m glad you are encouraging your sister to get involved, we need to see the women being recognised and fulfilling any desire they also have to protect the animals and their environment!
CONGRATULATIONS on finishing your course and it’s wonderful to have you back Antony and we are all looking forward to reading more of your fantastic posts.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by PrimateNews: Antony is back! http://bit.ly/daaEeH #nature #wildlife…
it’s good to have you back Antony and it is just beautiful to have your sister getting involved! good luck to her and may she be as brave as you.
Great to have you back, Antony!! I’m glad your sister is continuing her schooling. In my Tribe, women are very important and respected, because they give life and because they raise the boy children they know the true hearts of the men. In our modern-day society we have many very strong warrior women, who fight very hard for Indian rights in the USA.
I wish the very best for you and your sister. She is lucky to have you for a roll model.
Hi Antony, great to have you back!! I’m glad your sister is continuing her schooling. In my Tribe, women are very important and respected, because they give life and because they raise the boy children they know the true hearts of the men. In our modern-day society we have many very strong warrior women, who fight very hard for Indian rights in the USA.
I wish the very best for you and your sister. She is lucky to have you for a roll model. It would be wonderful for women to take care of the lions, too!!
There seems to be a problem with these posts. I tried to send my first post, but it wouldn’t let me, said the code wasn’t right or something, then I posted a second one and then they both came through!! Don’t know what is wrong — sorry!
Hello Antony. It’s good to hear news from you.I shall be following your blogs.from Nashipai
Welcome back Antony! You must be proud of everything that you have accomplished. It’s great to hear how you talk about your sister and your plans to support her. Lion Guardians is an awesome project is really making a difference in saving the precious lions.
It is great to hear your news again Antony after your return from the UK.
Good luck. We shall be following what you do.
Welcome back! Very proud of you!
— Kevin in Florida
I hope you had such a great trip! Happy New Year to you too!