Photo by Dave Anderson
A Maasai child enjoys the very last drops of sweet camel milk, one of the many benefits of a Heifer camel project that so far has brought more than 30 camels to this semi-permanent settlement. Climate change, including a severe drought in the 1990s that killed most of their cattle, inspired the women in this project to seek a new source of income to adjust. The Heifer camels are ideal as they only need a drink of water about once every two weeks.
The camels continue to give milk, even in the dry season when cows and goats are unable to produce. Camel milk is the only kind of milk to include vitamin C. It also has medicinal properties from the tree leaves the camel grazes on that can boost the immune systems of those with HIV or AIDS. Camels can be milked up to five times a day.
You'll get to know a Maasai family and learn how the camels have helped them make a better life in an upcoming issue of
World Ark magazine. You'll also see more photos and video from Dave in
World Ark magazine and at
http://www.heifer.org/. Keep a lookout for a spectacular video by Dave of Maasai women milking a camel while its baby tries to jump in on the action.