Kenya Masai Community Project

Where in the world?

The Masai Mara is the most prolific area in Africa for wildlife, and is the northern stronghold of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. The tented camp where Exodus clients stay is sited approximately half an hour away from the small town of Aitong, where many of the projects we support are situated.

What are we trying to do?

Exodus have been organising wildlife tours to the Mara for many years. The owners of the tented camp where our clients stay are passionate about improving the lives of the local population, and have several ongoing projects that Exodus, along with Friends of Conservation, help support. It is possible for our clients to visit some of these projects during their stay. These include the Olkimitare Nursery School, the Balanites School, the CMF Aitong Health Clinic, the Mara Discovery Centre and Tree Nursery, which are all located in Aitong, and the Siyipei Orphanage in Narok, which we pass en route from Nairobi.

How did we set it up?

One of the camp owners has worked for Exodus for fourteen years, and it was he who brought to our attention the plight of the local school, which was not recognised by the government and so was without funds, apart from those raised from school fees. Since then a substantial amount of money has been raised, which has meant that in effect the whole school has been rebuilt with proper foundations for two new classrooms, a staff room, perimeter fence, ablution block and water tank. The two new classrooms mean that the 70 students have now been split into two classes. We were also able to help appoint a headmaster with the salary paid for out of the funds raised.

What do we want to achieve this year?

Obviously as much as possible, but our key aims are:

• Provide an additional classroom at Olkimitare Nursery School as well as pay for the ongoing expenses of the headteacher, books and stationery. We would also like to provide two more toilets, repair the gate and provide further training for the teachers; approx cost £tba
• At Balanites School we want to provide water tanks and guttering, kitchen equipment, office furniture, two toilets, books and further education for the teachers; approx cost £2,000
• At the CMF Aitong Health Clinic we want to add to the maternity ward and dental equipment already provided, by purchasing a dental chair and funding a regular supply of medicinal drugs; approx cost £1500
• The Mara Discovery Centre and Tree Nursery is a new community project, which was set up in January of this year, and its main activities are traditional bead-working, keeping bees for honey, planting a tree nursery and instigating a local clean up programme. To do this we need funds to provide a part time helper as well as buying materials for the beadwork, sourcing bees and hives as well as providing seedlings; approx cost £1500
• The Siyiapei Orphanage in Narok is another new project. Although partially supported by the local government and a Dutch organisation, they desperately need extra funds to upgrade the girl’s ward, the eating hall, and to make sure the food store is rat proof! It would also be great to provide books for the library and clothing and toys for the kids; approx cost £2000.

What can you do to help?

If you would like to make a donation this can be done in cash whilst you are at the camp, or via Friends of Conservation in the UK.

Paul Goldstein, our resident and award-winning photographer, holds regular talks in the UK on the amazing wildlife of the Masai Mara. He is also passionate about raising money for his projects. One special date for the diary is the 8th December 2009 at 7pm at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington, London, where, in conjunction with Travel Africa Magazine, Paul, along with renowned travel journalist Simon Calder and wildlife expert Chris Haslam, will be hosting a special Mara evening during which funds will be raised for these projects. For details please click on the link: Mara Watch

Would you like to know more?

You can contact Paul direct on 0208 772 3753.