MASOL COMMUNITY DONATES LAND
1,000 ACRES OF "sIMBOL" LAND
The original Hope Haven for Kenya vision called for 200 acres of land. However, the Masol community believes so strongly in what the HHFK can do for the people of Masol that they agreed 100% to set aside their land named "Simbol" for the HHFK Masol Children's and Community project.
"sIMBOL" MEANS GREY SAND IN POKOT language
MASOL DONATES 1,000 ACRES COMMUNITY LAND
MEETING IN MASOL
Three days of meetings were held in both the village of Sigor and Masol Location to introduce the Hope Haven for Kenya vision to Masol Location chiefs, councilors, elders, and leaders.
On day three a meeting for everyone in the entire communities of both East and West Masol was held at Masol Location. All community members were invited and most everyone attended. Joining the people of the communities were the area chiefs, councilors, elders, and leaders, and many who attended took turns speaking. The support for HHFK turned out to be overwhelming and culminated with one of the most respected elders standing up and while pointing said "You can have all of the land you can see to the east, to the west , to the south, and to the north". Without any hesitation whatsoever everyone present agreed that this should be the land for the HHFK Masol Children's and Community project. The land they have donated for HHFK Masol is named "Simbol", which in Pokot means "grey sand".
One thousand acres may seem to be an excessive amount of land, but although the people of West Pokot have little, one thing they have is land. Masol Location itself is 771 square kilometers of arid and semi-arid land. So much will be done on this land to empower the people of Masol. HHFK is a project for all Masolians, and by Masolians.
KALYA MEANS PEACE
One of the issues in West Pokot is cattle security as they suffer from raids from the East Pokot tribes to the east and the Turkana tribes to the north. When Bill Cunningham first introduced HHFK to the people of Masol they named him "Kalya", which in their language means "Peace". They strongly believe that having HHFK in Masol will help bring peace to this region.