Dickson Sumari, a 10 year old Maasai boy who seemed to have everything he wanted until a few years ago when drought began to take the lives of his communities cattle and children. Dickson's family has lived at peace with nature for centuries they now face the insurmountable challenge of adapting to climate change. The Maasai culture is proud, semi-nomadic and for a western woman, I admit very different. Regardless of the differences I am repeatedly stunned by their noble nature and serenity. They seem completely content with their simple lifestyle that includes virtually no plastic, no packaged food, no home depot around the corner. They smile more than any culture I have encountered in the past 35 countries I have visited. Yet now with out water I fear they face extinction and we will never recover the wisdom they have of living at peace with nature. For Dickson Sumari these next few months will determine his future. The diminishing tourist funds to local camps, food aid strained to reach all that need it and the complete lack of resources that nature once provided could prove to be devastating. Dickson like so many others may be forced to seek solutions in the overcrowded city slums and the world will have lost his unique wisdom and song.
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