A Samburu child waits with his father or grandfather for medical attention at a mobile clinic set up in a school in the town of Wamba. Samburu men later on in life take young brides in their teens

The Samburu people, a traditionally nomadic tribe in northern Kenya, like their cousins, the Maasai, have been slow to adopt global culture, clinging to their ancient ways. Two recent crises, however, have been eroding their traditional way of life. A three year drought, which began in 1998 decimated their livestock, cattle and goats, leaving them destitute. Livestock is the sign of their wealth and their means of survival. Secondly, their traditional culture which paves the way for sexual experimentation among the young, polygamy, wife sharing, and child brides, has made them especially vulnerable to HIV/AIDS which is claiming the lives of many young and old. Some measure of help has come from Edfri International based in Meru, several hundred kilometres to the South of Samburu. Part of Newfrontiers, a church planting movement which originated in the UK, Edfri International has been involved in providing famine relief, mobile clinics, a water scheme to provide a reliable water supply, and restocking of livestock. Edfri International has seven indigenous churches run by Samburu serving the communities scattered around the town of Wamba

APN09A05_135

uniquement en France, Belgique, Suisse

Non

Droits gérés

25,2Mo (888,8Ko) / 20,3cm x 31,1cm / 2394 x 3672 (300dpi)