Samwel Naikada; a humble pastoralist with a bright vision for his Maasai Peoples

12/18/2012

This year, I had the privilege to participate in Tribal Link Foundation’s Project Access, a Training Program designed to prepare Indigenous Peoples from around the globe, to participate in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

It was on that first day, that I met Samwel Naikada, a humble Maasai pastoralist from Kenya, Africa, as each of us introduced ourselves to the group. When it was his turn, the tall, slim, 39 year old man, stood up in his traditional Maasai attire and spoke in a soft, yet firm and almost regal fashion about his Maasai people, and the menace of deforestation of the Dupoto Forest. This forest has been the livelihood of the Maasai Peoples for time immemorial.

His desire, he expressed, was to develop and promote Eco-tourism as a mean of survival and preservation. The room was quiet and all eyes were on Samwel. He spoke about his teaching young people about taking pride on who they were. Deep inside, I thought: “How could anyone not take pride on being Maasai, with this brother that speaks so proudly about his people and who has such an impressive ability to communicate and who projects that same pride he speaks of!”

We had learned from the representative of the Ogiek Tribe (also from Kenya), how the Maasai were helping them. To me, this was extremely significant, to know that these people who are having struggles of their own, still find the means to help a fellow tribe!

There were many in the group who had achieved all kinds of high-level education. Humbly, Samwel mentioned how he understood he might have not the knowledge as the others, for he did not possess any formal education, perhaps to the level of those in the group. He expressed his desire, his dream of pursuing a degree in Community Development so that he could effectively help his people and achieve the goals he had set forth. Although I understood what he meant, I could not help it but tell him that he could stand in a room filled with Ph.D’s and address them in the same way he had addressed us, for he spoke from the heart and the message was loud and clear.

In times like the ones we are living, very few people have the passion or aspire to dedicate their lives to develop and preserve their communities the way Samwel does.

This past summer, he was able to enroll at Narok University College, Kilgoris Branch in Kenya, to obtain his degree in Community Development. The cost of his education per year is $1,000.00. His first year has been covered through some donations, one of them by Tribal Link Foundation, but he still needs the additional $3,000.00.

Samwel is married to one wife and has six children. He is a pastoralist depending on livestock and is the first and only one to complete secondary education in the whole village, so far. He plans to invest his acquired knowledge in advocating for the rights of his people, assist youth and women to use available resources and skills so that they can economically improve their living standards. His goal, to link his community with National and International Programs that will assist and build their capacity.

I strongly believe, in my deepest core, there is someone out there or a Foundation that would be willing to cover the $3,000.00 needed to cover the remaining balance of his college tuition, hence, helping Samwel Naikada attain the education he is so much committed to complete to improve the quality of life and sustenance of the Maasai Peoples.

For more information about Samwel Naikada, you may contact me at taimar16@yahoo.com .

Tai Pelli

Central Florida Liaison Officer

United Confederation of Taíno People

At Risk! El Campito...

AT RISK! El Campito, Urban Forest in the City of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

08/27/2012

The Movement “Salvemos El Campito” (Let’s save El Campito), led by Attorney Ricardo Delestre, has been exposing the detrimental effects that the destruction of this urban forest will have, should the local authorities allow its current owners to destroy 50% of this forest to construct apartment buildings.

Some of the effects of destroying El Campito:

·        Over 1,000 trees plus other vegetation will be destroyed.

·       The loss of biosequestration of carbon dioxide (the most abundant greenhouse gas!) resulting in an increase    to the already huge problem of global warming

·        Destruction of natural habitat for many life species (loss of bio-diversity)

·         Interruption of natural flow of the Las Tunas/Mendoza Creek

·        Increase of flash floods that will affect residential areas and businesses

·         Destruction of a spring and several other bodies of water within this Urban Forest

·         Air and water pollution. Destruction of the “lungs” of the urban center of Cabo Rojo

·         Erosion and climatic disruption

In the late 15^th century, the island of Borikén (Puerto Rico) was described by chroniclers as the island with the thickest forest, from the very shores. It seemed impenetrable! Today, Puerto Rico is 54% urbanized. The preservation rate is that of only 8% vs. the 25% standard in the United States. Every year the islanders are experiencing hotter temperatures, mudslides (some even mortal), and flash floods as they had never been seen before.

El Campito is a 16 acre Urban Forest, considered the “lungs” of the city’s urban center. It’s proximity to the Sports Complex Rebecca Colberg, has made it an extension for sports, such as mountain biking, hiking, etc.. Volunteers preserve the trails while respecting nature. Just recently, neighbors alerted members of the “Salvemos El Campito” Movement, when they saw heavy equipment go in. Sadly, they found many trees cut down, trails blocked with some of the same trees they had cut down and bulldozed-widened trails.

According to Attorney Delestre, the permits were expired, and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources regulations regarding reforestation had not been followed whatsoever.

The “Salvemos El Campito” Movement,, hasn’t been one to just oppose, but one that has presented viable alternatives to the City of Cabo Rojo, including the acquisition of El Campito, as part of the Sports Complex Rebecca Colberg, promoting healthy lifestyles, ecotourism, agricultural projects, a butterfly haven, while assuring that the Mendoza Creek is not disturbed any more than it already has, for residents in its vicinity have suffered flash floodings that have destroyed everything they owned, some having to be rescued from their rooftops. Many small business owners faced losses as well. The destruction of 50% of El Campito will have a detrimental effect for Cabo Rojo that will be beyond repair. Trees and vegetation layer absorb and serve as a water retention mechanism. Deforestation will almost guarantee a menace of more flash floods. Flora and fauna life forms impacted would be irreplaceable.

We are well aware that deforestation is collaborating to: the extinction of bio-diversity, climatic changes and a global unbalance overall. Half of the forests of the world have been destroyed, most of them within the last 50 years. At this time, it is understood that ANY act of deforestation is frowned upon by the international community and environmentalists, REGARDLESS of the size of the area at risk. The island of Puerto Rico has and is still suffering the effects of reckless deforestation; trees have been sacrificed and exchanged for cement.

This is our plea to you, so that you can join us in preserving the natural beauty and important elements that made the island earn the name of “The island of enchantment”!

Tai Pelli

Send your email, English or Spanish to the Mayor of Cabo Rojo, Hon. Perza Rodriguez,  perzarodriguez@gmail.com

Let her know you oppose to more deforestation in Boriken, particularly, El Campito, the Urban Forest of Cabo Rojo, and that you urge her to proactively promote its preservation by pursuing its acquisition.