Covid-19 has affected almost every country around the globe.
With the reality of the pandemic closing boarders around the world and the catastrophic affects it would have on those relying on tourism, I started the Generosity Project Africa as a way for us all to help.
Tribes, who once lived beautifully off the land, have come to rely on tourism as a source of income. Many tribes have chosen to stay living on their tribal lands, keeping their cultures strong, and adapting to this new world by choosing to invite us to experience their fascinating world.
Addis city boarders have been closed for 5 months and there has been no travel allowed to the Omo Valley. However, on August 21 the team left with two huge trucks carrying 20,000 kg of food, special hands-free washing stations, sanitizer, soap, and was going to be giving Covid training and awareness.
The team sends news of their visit with the Daasanach
The team sends a morning greeting as they make their way to the Daasanach. Dani shares some information about the Dassanach.
The Dassanach live in the lowest part of the Omo Valley along the Omo River, the delta’s, and down along the top part of Lake Turkana in Kenya. This is one of the driest and hottest tribal area’s.
Upon arriving into the territory of the Daasanach the team was shock to find the Omo River had severely over run it’s banks, flooding the entire area, and displacing all the villages that lived along the banks. Des shares that our plan was to bring support to the villages and guides families that most rely on tourism, but that quickly changed to more of an aid to all those who had been displaced, which included the villages we have always visited.
Dani also discusses the situation of the food.
Many communities of the Daasanach tribe settle along the lower Omo River and the delta where they farm along the banks. They depend on the river rising and retreating and some rain to grow the crops. Although, it will seem harsh for many who visit, the communities along the water can thrive.
In the background you will note that many of the huts are made with corrugated metal roofing, which is extraordinarily hot in this harsh environment, but it helps to keep the hut from leaking when the rain comes.
All of the tribal communities living along the river and the deltas were affected by the flood and were displaced. In the video below Des talks about the communities rebuilding temporary shelters.
We were honored to have a Andinet, from the board of tourism, join the team. She is discussing the flood with the Dassanach. What I love in this clip is Des quote ” all the villages have been swallowed by the river.”
I feel so blessed to work with incredibly caring and ethical partners who also believe in responsible tourism. Des, my partner for a decade, and owner of Grand Holidays is helping to unload the truck in blistering heat.
Here is a short clip of good distribution in one Daasanach community
Even in the heartbreaking situation of the flood the team still provides Covid awareness training and set’s up the hand-washing stations. It is fun to watch as an elder learns to use this. Then he tries to teach a women how to use it. In the end one of the young girls masters hand washing.
The entire community thanks you for your kindness in remembering them with a blessing song. Although, we were delayed by many weeks, perhaps this was the reason, as help could not have been more need for this tribe than right at this moment!
We want to give a huge thanks to our partners in Turmi who sponsored the whole team with meals and accommodations.
I want to personally thank my incredible partners for all their hard work, logistics, sponsorship of transportation and more.
