Luci Lights and the Masai













An unexpected benefit of bringing hundreds of Luci Solar Lights is we got to use them as gifts as we travel around.  We ended up giving one to Bebe, the Masai Grandmother we met back in Idodi.  We intended it just as a convenience item for her, as this family operates without any electrical power.  What we did not realize is this particular clan of Masai was a strong supporter of the Ruaha Carnivore Project  which trains the local Masai to live in cooperation with the large predatory animals of Ruaha NP.  The large cats will often leave the park and kill the livestock on whom the Masai depend.  In defense, the Masai often kill these animals to protect their way of life.  The Carnivore Project gives the Masai special mobile fencing to protect their animals and a Mobile App which allows them to report and track predator movements (yes, the Masai have no power, but they do have cell phones with apps).  Through active use of the app their livestock are at much less risk.  One newer innovation being employed by the Carnivore Project is blinking solar lights.  Apparently, a blinking light hung on the animal pens at night keeps the carnivores away.  When they received the Luci Light the Masai instantly saw an application for protecting their animals.




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