From the time I began working with the Samburu, I have organized basic health meetings at the manyattas, encouraging women, men and teenagers to attend. Key issues included personal cleanliness, care in the preparation of food, clean water, separating the sick from the well, and encouraging families to teach these health basics to their younger children. Tribal Advancement set up a health fund that is managed by Sarah Lenaimado and she continues to provide basic healthcare and medicines.

When the Samburu women learned about reproductive health, and literally, how pregnancy occurs, many asked how they could have fewer children since they have difficulty paying for food and school supplies for the children they already have. Those women now have access to birth control if they choose. HIV/AIDS is a major problem throughout Africa due to lack of knowledge and poor decision-making. I have spent a great deal of time over the years educating this Samburu tribe with special emphasis upon STD prevention, and that includes the availability of condoms in the healthcare fund. Currently HIV/AIDS is almost non-existent within this tribe and underscores how a little information combined with their determination and personal responsibility can make an enormous difference in their lives. Through education, change is happening.