Sponsor a child
Since January 2003 Primary education is free in Kenya. However, there are some small costs involved (by Irish standards). The cost of a uniform and shoes is often beyond the reach of some families and since there is no free secondary education few Maasai children make that step. Girls have less chance than boys of reaching secondary level. The girls will be “sold” in marriage when they reach the age of 14 or 15. They first go through the ritual of FGM (Female genital mutilation) and are then given in marriage for the price of some cows or goats. In order to prevent these girls suffering FGM and being sold, we attempt to keep them in school or get them into a school even if they are 14 or 15 years of age. We put them into boarding school and away from their families to keep them safe from FGM and marriage. We do this to save the girls from FGM since the ‘cutting’ can give the girls AIDS. So you see that it’s not only about saving the girls from early marriage, it’s about saving their lives!
We currently have a list of 100 girls and boys who are awaiting sponsors so that they may continue their education. Some have been in school and are currently not attending due to their inability to pay fees.
This can sometimes result in them being sent back to their village and back to FGM!
School fees;-
If you would like to sponsor a child we will give you a personal letter from the student with information regarding their family and education to date. In the event that it is a child who is young or is unable to write, we will send you a drawing by that student. We will also include a picture of the child and thereafter we will keep you updated on a yearly basis as to their progress in school including end of term reports from the school
Since January 2003 Primary education is free in Kenya. However, there are some small costs involved (by Irish standards). The cost of a uniform and shoes is often beyond the reach of some families and since there is no free secondary education few Maasai children make that step. Girls have less chance than boys of reaching secondary level. The girls will be “sold” in marriage when they reach the age of 14 or 15. They first go through the ritual of FGM (Female genital mutilation) and are then given in marriage for the price of some cows or goats. In order to prevent these girls suffering FGM and being sold, we attempt to keep them in school or get them into a school even if they are 14 or 15 years of age. We put them into boarding school and away from their families to keep them safe from FGM and marriage. We do this to save the girls from FGM since the ‘cutting’ can give the girls AIDS. So you see that it’s not only about saving the girls from early marriage, it’s about saving their lives!
We currently have a list of 100 girls and boys who are awaiting sponsors so that they may continue their education. Some have been in school and are currently not attending due to their inability to pay fees.
This can sometimes result in them being sent back to their village and back to FGM!
School fees;-
- Primary Day school €50 per year
- Secondary Day school €200 per year
- Primary Boarding School €350 per year
- Secondary Boarding School €400 per year
- 3rd level education costs between €600 - €1,500 per year
If you would like to sponsor a child we will give you a personal letter from the student with information regarding their family and education to date. In the event that it is a child who is young or is unable to write, we will send you a drawing by that student. We will also include a picture of the child and thereafter we will keep you updated on a yearly basis as to their progress in school including end of term reports from the school
Build a well or Bore-hole
A well costs between €2,500 and €3,000 depending on the depth. A Bore-Hole costs circa €25,000. Many wells and deep bore-holes are required. By donating this amount, you will receive photo’s during construction and we will name that well for you and your family.
A well provides drinking water and subsequently reduces the hardship women suffer while carrying heavy drums of water on their back or heads for long distances. Water breeds life into villages and people.
A well costs between €2,500 and €3,000 depending on the depth. A Bore-Hole costs circa €25,000. Many wells and deep bore-holes are required. By donating this amount, you will receive photo’s during construction and we will name that well for you and your family.
A well provides drinking water and subsequently reduces the hardship women suffer while carrying heavy drums of water on their back or heads for long distances. Water breeds life into villages and people.
Women's Groups
We currently have 4 women's groups who make Maasai beaded jewellery which they wish to sell. Monies from the sale of their jewellery allow us to give the women a small business to improve their lives. The profits are saved until such time as we have enough to buy a grinding mill, or cows or donkeys. These are then owned by the group and the profits circulate among the women to assist with children's school fees or hospital bills as the need arises. These women are strong and proud and do not want money for nothing. They want to empower themselves and improve their lives by work.
You can support these women by buying their jewellery or by simply sending them words of encouragement based on your own life experience.
Women's Groups
We currently have 4 women's groups who make Maasai beaded jewellery which they wish to sell. Monies from the sale of their jewellery allow us to give the women a small business to improve their lives. The profits are saved until such time as we have enough to buy a grinding mill, or cows or donkeys. These are then owned by the group and the profits circulate among the women to assist with children's school fees or hospital bills as the need arises. These women are strong and proud and do not want money for nothing. They want to empower themselves and improve their lives by work.
You can support these women by buying their jewellery or by simply sending them words of encouragement based on your own life experience.
Seminars
From €1800 you can sponsor a seminar. Subjects vary from FGM to nutrition and health including the prevention of malaria and typhoid. We employ a nurse or doctor who will travel to the remote areas to talk on these subjects. To encourage the locals to attend we provide lunch during the seminar.
Your donation will pay for transport, food and a small allowance for the speaker.
From €1800 you can sponsor a seminar. Subjects vary from FGM to nutrition and health including the prevention of malaria and typhoid. We employ a nurse or doctor who will travel to the remote areas to talk on these subjects. To encourage the locals to attend we provide lunch during the seminar.
Your donation will pay for transport, food and a small allowance for the speaker.
Fund a project
If you are interested in donating towards a particular project, please reference your donation with the project your money should go to. You will receive a confirmation email that your money has been received and information about the progress of the project. We currently have need for eight classrooms, desks for four schools and school feeding programs. Any donation, large or small, will assist with these projects. We have two new day secondary schools both of which require science equipment to a cost of approximately €5000 per school. Unfortunately we have been unable to raise this money to date and the students are in danger of failing their secondary level science exams due to lack of practical studies.
If you are interested in donating towards a particular project, please reference your donation with the project your money should go to. You will receive a confirmation email that your money has been received and information about the progress of the project. We currently have need for eight classrooms, desks for four schools and school feeding programs. Any donation, large or small, will assist with these projects. We have two new day secondary schools both of which require science equipment to a cost of approximately €5000 per school. Unfortunately we have been unable to raise this money to date and the students are in danger of failing their secondary level science exams due to lack of practical studies.