WHERE TRADITION
MEETS TECHNOLOGY
Kitengela, Kenya
Santa Fe, NM
PROJECTS
Most adult members of this community have had very little schooling. When severe drought hits and their livestock dies, they do not have other sources of income, so their only option for survival is to sell land and move to the slums or attempt to rebuild their herds.
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ACACIA MOYO - WHERE TRADITION MEETS TECHNOLOGY
works to develop sustainable sources of income that are not dependent on livestock. We aim to generate enough income through our projects to prevent further land sales and allow the community to flourish.
BEEKEEPING
Former Assistant Chief Nickson Parmisa explains the benefits of beekeeping to the community
Former Assistant Chief Nickson Parmisa explains the benefits of beekeeping to the community
There is a vast, unfulfilled market for honey in Kenya. Many rural communities have successfully taken up beekeeping, which is not difficult to learn and is extremely profitable. Ten hives can bring in approximately K. Shs. 70,000 per harvest (about $500).
Students participate in our first beekeeping training session. The honey is extremely pure, derived mainly from the surrounding acacia trees.
Josephine Ojiambo, President, Rotary Club of Nairobi, Kenny Mann and Onestar Magiri celebrate the sale of our first jar of honey.
OUR PROGRAM
We have 3 acres of community land for our apiary. We are starting with 50 hives and aim to increase to 150.
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We have an irrigated greenhouse for the cultivation of flowering plants, such as a hardy breed of rose, for bee forage in addition to the acacia trees.
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We have a professional Beekeepers' Committee that will oversee all operations, including accounting, tax payments and distribution of profits.
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We have over 30 registered participants in our training program with the Kajiado County Beekeeping Cooperative (KCBC). Each person will own and manage 5 hives. New members may join in the next round. Raw honey will be sold to a variety of markets, including the Kajiado County Beekeeping Cooperative. Participants receive 60% of profits. Acacia Moyo receives 40% for administrative costs and future community projects.
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We are registered in Kenya as the ACACIA MOYO Community Based Organization.
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WHAT WE NEED
We need to purchase ready-made starter kits for 35 participants, that include a hive, a protective bee suit, gloves, and all necessary equipment for cultivating and harvesting honey. Purchased in Kenya, such kits for 10 participants cost approximately $700.
EDUCATION
Since 2019, we have supported 8 girls and 1 boy through 4 years of high school, including their books, equipment and uniforms. Although they may move on to modern careers, they are committed to bringing their knowledge and experience back to the community.
16-year-old Joshua Lemayian did so well at Empakasi Secondary School that he was invited to attend Oloolaiser High School, one of the best national schools in Kenya with an excellent academic record. This photo was taken on his very first, terrifying day!
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We paid for Joshua's first year and he continues to do extremely well academically.
Joshua is the FIRST MAASAI CHILD from Kitengela to attend such a school. Now we need to pay for the next three years.
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WE NEED $1500 FOR JOSHUA'S NEXT THREE YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL
Ezekiel Tolunteia was 20 years old when we shot this video in 2020. He graduated high school last year at the age of 23.
Ruth (standing) and her friends were also filmed in 2020 and have since graduated high school.
BEADING
From l to r: Naomi Teto, Sarah David, Betty Tonkei and Rispah Simoine discuss their beading tradition. "Even in a hundred years, no matter how much it has changed, beading will still give us our identity."
OUR PROGRAM
Maasai women are renowned for their brightly colored beaded jewelry, in which specific colors hold specific meaning. Red signifies blood, bravery, and unity. White represents health, peace, and purity. Blue is the color of the sky and represents energy, and green is the color of grass, which signifies the land and production. Maasai women can make an income by selling beaded jewelry to tourists, but Kitengela is far removed from tourist areas and city shops and galleries.
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ACACIA MOYO'S HQ is located in Santa Fe, NM - home of the International Folk Art Market (IFAM) - the largest in the world. In 2019, our local group called Olkamau Womens Beading Cooperative was accepted to present their work at IFAM. Beader Phoebe Lasoi was selected to represent the community and attended the Market together with then Assistant Chief Nickson Parmisa. Phoebe benefitted from several free workshops on branding, exporting and packaging while Nickson was interviewed on public media about his community and the challenges they face. We made over $20,000 in the three-day market - money which supported many community projects, including other beaders, high school students and our beekeeping operation. Following this success, we provided training in leather cutting and contemporary beadwork designs to Naomi Teto, Sarah David and Rispah Simoine, who have formed their own training collective for younger beaders.
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We are proud that our empowerment of Phoebe Lasoi has enabled her to, once again, participate in IFAM 2023.
IFAM 2019 GALLERY
Assistant Chief Nickson Parmisa and beader Phoebe Lasoi at our booth
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Chief Nickson Parmisa meets fashion designer Donna Karan
Phoebe Lasoi conducts a beading workshop at Santa Fe's Community College (SFCC)
Chief Nickson Parmisa gives a talk to an enthusiastic crowd at Santa Fe's Travel Bug store
ACACIA MOYO
Where Tradition Meets Technology
ikimann@earthlink.net acaciamoyo@gmail.com
19 Espira Court, Santa Fe, NM 87508
+1646 479-5884
PO Box 76, Kitengela, Kenya, 00241
+254721428470
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ACACIA MOYO - WHERE TRADITION MEETS TECHNOLOGY is fiscally sponsored by Creative Visions Foundation (CVF). CVF is a publicly supported 501c3, which supports Creative Activists who use the power of media and the arts to affect positive change in the world.