Bring Education to 700 Maasai Children in Kenya

It's now over two years since Under the Acacia and the Loita Maasai joint hands and broke ground on many exciting sustainable community development initiatives to bring only positive things to all young children, women and even the elders. it was a dream that until a second classroom was build everyone knew that for sure big things were happening in Ilmotiook village. All kids in our village were sent to school between the ages of three up to 13 years old who never had a chance to go to school. Our school was a gift to everyone and provided education, food, and even employment to our local teachers. A gift that we now working to sustain ourselves. 185 school uniforms were given out the first day of enrollment and for sure this was a good sign that people have known the important of education. Last year, the Ministry of Education made a surprise visit to our school and they were very happy for our progress and we were rated number 1 in the whole of our district! Can you imagine? If this does not show the power of a motivated community, the power of education I don't know what does. Our partnership with Under the Acacia continues to flourish and strengthen and the future is brighter than ever. If we accomplished all this in only a few years time ~ a school, a medical clinic, a learning center and computer lab and library, a sanitation program, a long term water program, income generating activities and job opportunities ~ all in which are sustainable ~  keep your eyes on Loita the next 2 years!

My name is Pemba Noseuri Koin. I am the oldest of 13 siblings and was born in 1997 in Ilmotiok Village outside my mother’s small hut. I never met my father. In 1998 there was a very bad tribal war between the Loita Maasai and the Soncho community and my father was killed. I have only seen a photo of him that my Uncle Lerionka showed me.

My Mother and Step Mother raised all of us and life was not easy. In 1998 there was also a very bad drought in Kenya that killed all the cows and there was no greener pasture to move them to.

As a policy of our family we vowed to stay together even without our father. I became like a little father to my brothers and sisters.

In 2002 I was supposed to start going to school but there was no school around. My mom spoke to Joseph's parents on how they managed to send him to school. His father explained it was not easy to raise the funds and not easy to send your child away splitting the family up. At that point my mother gave up on my schooling and I stayed at home doing the domestic work like collecting water and helping look after my siblings.

Two years passed and I tried again to ask to go to school. It was not easy but she sent me to a school 21 kms away from our home. It was 2005 when I started my schooling. I was the biggest boy in the class and once again the role of being a leader came upon me. But I loved school. School fees had to be paid, activities fees had to be paid and school uniform and school books also had to be bought. Mom said forget it just come home. At that time all our cows died again from drought, and living a normal life in our family became history. I dropped out of school to tend to looking after my siblings and started focusing on living a poverty life with my family.

When I was 8 years old this was the first time I got a job of becoming a herder. I was looking after 200 cows and my mother was paid my salary so that my family could have something to eat. I enjoyed doing this since I knew someone related to me is living because of my job.

In 2006 Joseph Koyie called for meeting of all the Ilmotiok Village.  My mother attended the meeting and came home and told me that Joseph wants to start a school. I did not believe her. I jumped so high out of joy I fell into the cooking fire in the house and burned my arm and lost the one school book I held onto in that fire, but I did not care. I ran to Joseph asking when are you going to start this school? He said very soon, be patient.

In 2009 that the first classroom was constructed only 600m away from home. I could not believe it. I keep asking the constructors everyday when will it be ready! It was announced the school would open on the 10th of January 2010 and I promised myself I would be the 1st person to go there when it opens.

Our dreams came true. Not only did we get a school but we got a school that is free education. Our school fees, our uniforms, our writing books and school supplies were all paid for. I thought this school was opened specially for me.

I am now a full time student at Loita Hills Academy and I am at the top of the class. This is a school that is changing so many peoples lives not just now but forever and everyone in the community will benefit from those who receive schooling here because when people believe in you, it is easier to believe in yourself and what you can accomplish. I want a better life for my brothers and sisters and Mother. I want a better life for my people. You can see the smiles in Loita now because we have hope and a chance to become something.

Joseph was educated and worked so hard. I want to be like him and work so hard to take care of my family and give back the same opportunity to my community someday that he gave to me.

Love from Kenya,

Pemba

Links:

• Under the Acacia
• Loita Hills Academy
• The 7 Campaign