Gene Hillman came to Maasai country in 1952. He traveled with the cattle markets to meet and get to know the people. This enabled him to become know throughout Maasailand and to make many friends. Many of these friends, now retired elders continue to ask about Gene and send their greetings to him to this day.
As time went on, Gene established mission stations in many places and opened clinics and primary schools. Spiritan efforts in Maasai country owe much to Gene Hillman. Not only did he establish all of our initial projects in health care and education, but he set the tone for our work for all of the years that followed.
His approach was characterized by a deep respect for the traditions of the Maasai people. He did not judge their ways, but rather was quick to see the basis of customs in the cattle culture of the Maasai, seeing that their ways of doing things served and strengthened their pastoral way of life.
