Our Renaissance Man

Bariki (which means "blessing") is the head guard at our school, but he is much more than that.  He is a handyman, and the first person to call, when we have a problem with locks, doors, water, electricity, masonry, plumbing, or almost anything.  He recently repaired the school's water supply pipes, ending our 3 1/2 days without water.

At the Lutheran church just outside our gates, Bariki sets up the sound system, directs the youth choir, and plays the organ.  He also plays other musical instruments.  During our Form 6 graduation ceremony in February, Bariki and 3 other musicians led the procession of graduating students.  He was playing the trombone.

(I tried to upload a photo here, but after 2 failed attempts that took 20 minutes each, I gave up).

Bariki is Maasai.  He usually wears Western-style clothes, but we occasionally see him in the colorful tribal shuka, or robe, when he is on guard duty.  Many Maasai men work as guards, and they can be impressive.  They get respect from man and beast.

Bariki speaks Swahili, and, I assume, the Maasai language.  He also speaks English better than we speak Swahili.  I don't know his academic skills, but at this point, almost nothing would surprise me.  He is our Renaissance man.