At the end of each of my trips to Arusha, Tanzania, I look forward to making a visit to the Masai market. It is truly, an adventure, like no other. It is kinda scary, real crazy and very exciting all at once! After 5 years and 12 trips to this same Masai market, these vendors have come to know Mama Linda quite well. They know why I am here!
To buy about 300 scarves! As soon as they see me, the word is out "Mama Linda is here" and they are all over me, like white on rice! Each one pulling and pushing me, trying to get me into their shop to buy. It's hard not to buy from them all, but I can't. I pick 10 or 12 shops that are run by a woman and buy about 20 - 25 scarves from each. I buy from the woman only because I know the Mama's will use the money to buy food for her children. I fill up the car with all my beautiful, handpicked, scarves and off I go. With the sweat dripping off my face and down my back from the heat, I leave with a big smile and a warm feeling in my heart, knowing that some children are going to have full little bellies that night.
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| just a few of the 100's of beautiful scarves I have |
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| one of the Mama's I buy scarves from so she can feed her family |
So now, you can see, how me sweating at the market for hours, buying scarves from those women, has gifted a whole lot of people! The women have food for their children; the scarf is a gift for you or your friend; the money will educate a child and take him or her off the street; that child will then educate his family! It's the gift that keeps on giving!
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| Edson, 6 years old |
So, I am beyond excited to tell you, that yesterday, I spent a few hours with the staff at RBC main Branch and sold $850 worth of scarves!! Thanks to the RBC staff, our first little neighbor boy, Edson, will be going to school in January! Whoo Hooo! Thank you, Thank you!
Anyone else needing a beautiful scarf for a Christmas gift, and would like to help send a child to school, please contact me at 403-795-2261 or email me at lizkinnell@hotmail.com
by Mama Linda
