HAPPY  HOLIDAYS

The air is filled with excitement as Kenyans prepare for holiday celebrations around the country.  The weather is warm and although much of Kenya is still gripped with the devastating drought people are turning their thoughts, as are many families worldwide, to preparing for the holidays in ways that support their faith and culture. 

Here in the Kenyan bush, the Maasai are Christian and celebrate Christmas in a variety of ways, some hosting dinners of roast goat, some making presents of beaded bracelets and belts for their friends, while others will walk to church to sing on Christmas day.  A few even walk from one boma to the next singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve. 

Many people here celebrate the New Year with as much fanfare as in America.  Families that have been separated over the year will gather to bring in the New Year with all night parties, fireworks and a massive feast and homemade honey beer.  Breaking for the holidays is a long standing tradition in Kenya and rural businesses such as ours always shut down for three weeks to a month in order to give non-local workers time at home with wives, children and relatives.   And because the school year also ends in early December in Kenya, the end of the year festivities with family and friends are more important and celebrated with more fanfare than in the United States.  

We all from The Leakey Collection wish you a happy holiday season and thank you for your continued support over the years.  The Maasai women send their sincere well wishes, as do the men who work so hard and are so appreciative of all that you do to make their lives better, allowing them the opportunities they would not otherwise enjoy. 

From all of us at The Leakey Collection, we wish you a Happy New Year and look forward to continuing our special friendships and associations with you in 2010. 

Philip and Katy Leakey