Day 5 (five golden rings) is a great day to highlight the Umoja Uaso Womens Group in Samburu, Kenya. I visited this amazing village several years ago. It was founded in 1990 as a safe women-only environment for women who have left their families because of domestic abuse and violence. In spite of many threats and challenges, the women of Umoja maintain a pre-school, a cultural center, a curio shop, a camp site for tourists and a communal fund.
To support themselves, the village, headed by my friend Rebecca Lolosoli, creates beautiful bead work, which can be purchased in the using this website. I cannot speak highly enough of the village, of the work that is done there and their perseverance and determination of the women to create better lives for themselves and their children.
Tomorrow: Six geese?
Day Four: Women in Public Service
Day Three: GlobalGiving
Day Two: Pax World
Day One: Women Thrive