Kenya may seem distant, but nine local women who traveled there said they feel compelled to help.

“I think it’s pretty obvious how small the world really is and how connected things are,” said Joan Prittie, instructor and executive director of Project Safe. “Certainly there is an opportunity for help and assistance, but more importantly there is an opportunity for learning.”

The women presented their findings “Women of the Maasai: Empowerment and Networks” on Monday in the visual arts building.

“Kenya is a very beautiful country, but it’s facing some environmental issues,” said program participant Kathy Kirbo, executive director of the Reef Ball Foundation that works to protect natural reef systems. She said some environmental problems are poor sanitation and water scarcity.

Violence was another concern.

“There is an acceptance of a certain level of violence between men and women,” Prittie said. Females are subject to genital mutilation and marriage as early as age 10.

Education needs help too, they said.

“In some of the schools that we were visiting, I felt like I stepped back 20 or 30 or 40 years,” Athens mayor Heidi Davison said. “I think part of it for me was if education is highly prized … despite the barriers put in front of them, children can learn.”