Today’s tribute goes out to a generous soul who represents an example of courage and bravery: Janet. Janet joined the Enkewa Family 15 years ago—meaning she has been with us from the very beginning. At that time, she had no experience, but what she has grown into today is entirely owed to her willingness to learn, her iron determination, and her extraordinary ability to build excellent relations with guests. Not only is she an essential part of the Enkewa Family, but she also adds a special, much-needed feminine touch to the camp.
Breaking Cultural Boundaries in the Maasai Mara
Due to deeply rooted cultural traditions, it has never been easy for a Maasai woman to work outside of her community. The Maasai culture is highly patriarchal, and the role of women is traditionally centered around the boma (homestead), raising children, and maintaining the household. That is one of the main reasons why you won’t see many feminine Maasai faces working in safari camps across the Mara.
But Janet is one of a kind. She is a trailblazer driven to succeed through hard work and bravery. She is able to overcome any obstacle she faces with a clear, unwavering goal in mind: to work hard in order to bring up her two children on her own. Life has thrown her immense challenges. Due to certain circumstances—words cannot fully describe what she went through—she was forced to step away from Enkewa for five long years. But the Enkewa family never forgets its own. She was welcomed back with open arms almost a year ago, and we consider ourselves incredibly lucky to be able to count on her warm presence once again.
The Welcoming Heart of the Camp
When you visit us, you will find Janet mostly in the common areas. She is incredibly attentive, always keeping a watchful eye on our guests and making sure they have the absolute best Enkewa experience at the camp. She possesses a tender voice and a remarkable talent for languages. In particular, we have to highlight her brilliant Spanish pronunciation, which always leaves our Spanish-speaking guests pleasantly surprised and feeling right at home.
Beyond her linguistic skills, Janet has a special weakness for children. Families traveling to Enkewa instantly feel at ease when Janet is around, as her maternal instinct and one of the most beautiful, stunning smiles in the entire camp instantly win over the little ones.
A Woman of Many Talents
Last but not least, we simply cannot overlook her magic hands. After a long, bumpy game drive tracking wildlife across the savanna, Janet is the one who takes guests to «cloud nine» with wonderful, restorative massages.
In a nutshell, Janet is a jack of all trades. She is a mother, a pioneer in her community, a linguist, a massage therapist, and the welcoming soul of our camp.
Thank you, Janet, for being such a vital part of our Enkewa Camp. Here’s to many more years together!
