Mama MassaiMama Massai

The founder of «Kinder in Kenia»,Grene Schait-Maleko,has four children of her own,two of whom are already grown up and live independently. She lives and works in Basel,where she runs a small shop,,selling small African art and craft. She also runs a small catering service,offering her special cooking skills to firms,clubs and family events. She was born in Kenia,in an area near the border of Tanzania,also known as the Massai Mara. Professionally,she worked as a midwife in a small hospital at the coast near Mombassa,where she first met and built her initial contacts with the poor local communities.

In conversations with the pregnant women,she was continually confronted with their problems. These problems are part of daily life in this region of Kenia and make healthy living nearly impossible. The hints and tips Mama Massai gave to improve their conditions,were eagerly accepted and partially realised by these women.

Mama Massai regularly visited these women and children in Kikambala and realised that more was needed to assist these communities. Through time Mama Massai,as she was called by the local community,became a trusted advisor to these people and played a vital and important role for the people of Kikambala

In what little time she had available,Mama Massai founded a women’s group,teaching them the basics of hygiene,family planning,raising children and first aid. Her strong presence in the community and the acceptance of the women resulted in even men coming to her for advice and consultancy.

Unfortunately,a turn in these activities came when Mama Massai was transferred to another hospital and was forced to leave the area. The connection,however,with Kikambala was set and never broke. In 1983 she met a Swiss man,whom she married. This is how she moved to Switzerland. As she was talking about her homeland situation,many of Mama Massai’s contacts and friends offered spontaneous help. In order to provide for a transparent and reliable platform for aid,Mama Massai founded the aid-society “Kinder in Kenia”in 1995.