Written by Dennis Avokoywa.
In the arid landscapes of Narok County, life has always been challenging for pastoralist communities, especially for children and women like Jackline Normeshuki, commonly known to locals as Mama Mboga.
Normeshuki earned a living for decades by making and selling beads, a craft deeply rooted in her Maasai culture. However, despite her efforts, she earned less than $4 a week, making it impossible to sustain her family.
Desperate for a more reliable income, Normeshuki sold tea at the local market. This activity was a challenging transition. She had to wake up as early as 2 a.m. to prepare the tea and then walk through the dark, risking encounters with wild animals and other dangers, to reach the market on time.
"Nkorinkori market, located about 4 kilometers from my home, is the closest. I had to walk there every Friday morning to sell tea to the business people, who arrived at 5 a.m. to sell and buy livestock. Any delay meant I wouldn't make enough money since several other women were also selling tea," she recalled.
Furthermore, this new business took up much of her time. She had to spend less time at home and with her children. This caused her kids to miss school on Fridays because no one could look after them. The financial pressure was tremendous, and the personal risk was high. Worst of all, her children's education was taking a hit.