How a daring Maasai leader and an American physics professor organize to improve life in rural Africa
Meet Kisioki Moitiko, ICSEE project manager and Dr. Robert Lange, ICSEE founder. Come to talks in the Boston area, San Francisco/Stanford, San Diego, Laguna Nigel, Annapolis/DC, and New York City, with details to be announced.
It is still possible to arrange an individual or small private meeting at one of these locations at [email protected] or 508-735-9176
Massachusetts
Oct 13, 2024 Sunday. Private event in Winchester, Mass. Contact us to request an invitation.
October 15 Tuesday 3:45-6 p.m. Hosts: Don Thieme, Wellesley Neighbors, and the Wellesley Public Library, 530 Washington Street, Wellesley, Mass 02482. Free and open to the public. Zoom available. Registration for Zoom or in-person attendance required. Sign up here.
October 16, Wednesday 4-6. Host: Dr. Jim Haber, Brandeis University. Open to the Brandeis community.
Oct. 17, Thursday. Private event in Cambridge, Mass. Contact us to request an invitation
California
Nov. 6, Wednesday 6:45-8:45 p.m. Host; Russell Lange at the Country Community Center, 24602 Aliso Creek Rd., Laguna Niguel, California 92677. No RSVP required
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Kisioki Moitiko–a true leader
Kisioki and Bob first met when Kisioki was a 23-year-old moran–a Maasai young man. And like all Maasai men his age, he was a “Maasai warrior.” With his abilities in English, Swahili, and the Maa language of the Maasai, Bob first hired him as a translator.
And now, sixteen years later, he is also a leader in business, politics, public relations, fundraising, design, and organizing. And, of course, he is still a “cow man.”
Growth in every sector
Kisioki brings an enormous work ethic, skill, and imagination to the ICSEE.
Over the years this newsletter has described ICSEE Projects– first with stoves and solar, and then adding work with electrification, clean water, climate change adaptation modeling, “and more.
With the possibility of growth in every sector, Kisioki remains an essential partner. He has become the brother, son, and boss that Bob and the Maasai rely upon for so much success.
Hope for the future
The entire community benefits from Kisioki’s leadership. Now renowned throughout the region, he has earned the respect of women and men from every walk of life.
Kisioki combines his understanding of Maasai tradition with hope for the future, coupled with a strong vision. He sees how much the people must change to reach for a good life in a world with increasing population, stress, and environmental challenges.
Kisioki knows that freedom and self-determination of girls and women must improve dramatically. Together, working alongside our diverse staff leaders, the ICSEE has seen society-wide change. Achieving equality and freedom, regardless of gender, is now seen by more and more Maasai as a very high priority for us all.
How many of us dare to observe our way of life so critically yet optimistically? How often are we willing to embrace change when unexpected opportunities point the way, especially when brought by an outsider?
Kisioki does that. He has become the catalyst for the profound changes in process for the Maasai people.
Now, the people themselves reach towards their own transformation.
“I could never have done this without you.”
Says Bob, “How lucky we are to work together—but perhaps it is more than luck. Once we connected, we saw the need for a deep exploration of the value of our collaborative experience. We shared a realization of the potential for building a brighter future for the community.
We remain different. We don’t have identical approaches to solving every problem. But we both mean it, when we say, “I could never have done this without you.”