In the summer of 1994, Friends of Africa International President Scarlett Adams traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, to visit the organization’s projects in the Maasai Mara. While on a reconnaissance mission there, it was made apparent that the area was stricken by a serious drought whereby grasslands were dried up and the Maasai cattle, as well as wild game, were dying off in significant numbers due to lack of forage.

The Maasai people as well were suffering due to crop failures, and were dependent on outside aid of grain supply for their daily sustenance. In one such case, a long-awaited grain supply fell short of demand, with Maasai from other drought areas arriving in the Mara to take advantage of whatever grain they could coax from the relief shipments.

The inevitable shortage resulted in four local Maasai villages being excluded from the dole, and the prospect of acute starvation. Both Scarlett and Friends of Africa International Chairman Bonnie Bishop were “on the scene” and appropriated funds on behalf of Friends of Africa International to purchase a grain supply to feed these four villages. It is a fortunate circumstance when red tape can be avoided, and such relief is made available by being there at the time of crisis. Friends of Africa International is grateful to the late safari guide Glen Cottar, and his staff, who facilitated the distribution.


  • Published: 12 years ago on July 18, 2012
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  • Last Modified: July 18, 2012 @ 6:49 pm
  • Filed Under: Past Projects

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