Life in Maasai Land
The Maasai people are estimated to number around 1 million. They live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along the great Rift Valley. The Maasai are semi-nomadic and move with their cattle to fertile areas depending on the season. They live in so-called kraals – huts arranged in a circle, which are inhabited by family members and are used for cattle, goat and sheep farming.
In times of climate change, East Africa is increasingly experiencing problematic periods of drought, which is also forcing the Maasai to reduce the size of their herds and thus their property and find other means of survival.
Traditionally, the Maasai sell cattle in order to buy maize flour, milk or to pay school fees. Since the 1980s, when the land was redistributed and sold to private individuals, the Maasai have become increasingly dependent on the general economy and are becoming poorer as a result (source: Maasai Association, http://www.maasai-association.org/maasai.html).
Background and problems
It is important for the Maasai to have a large number of children. Polygamy is widespread. Unfortunately, the practice of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) is still a tradition despite the legal ban. The government-appointed chief of each district (county) should ensure order and prevent breaches of the law.
Many girls and women can neither read nor write and are unaware of their rights. There are a few government schools, but for many they are difficult to reach and require long walks.
As the cost of school materials and uniforms is unaffordable for most families, it is becoming increasingly difficult for parents to send their children to school. The school costs for 1 child are covered for 1 month with approx. 5 euros.
History of origin
The Eroret Preparatory School emerged from a community initiative in 2001.
Due to the increasing need to promote education in the disadvantaged Maasai community, members of the community decided to establish an elementary school in the immediate vicinity. The school provides basic education for the Maasai children in Kajiado County.
The school is run by John Kintadel, a Maasai who, as the youngest of 10 children in his family, was the only one allowed to go to school. He recognized that education can create the opportunity for a more self-determined life, and so his desire arose to make this improvement in life possible for his compatriots as well.
School profile
The school is located in Loodo-ariak, Kajiado West Constituency in Ngong Division, where there is no electricity or running water. There are 11 teachers at Eroret Preparatory School, plus 2 administrators, 2 cooks and a gardener.
A total of 221 pupils are taught. In addition to the traditional subjects, the pupils also have educational lessons on FGM and agricultural practice in vegetable cultivation on the school’s own fields.
Financing
As internal funding from the children’s school fees is becoming increasingly difficult and former donors have withdrawn, Austrian Doctors has agreed to cover the running costs of the school. This cooperation came about through a personal connection between our Board of Directors and the Kenyan Peter Paterson. He takes care of the finances and supports the team in the further development of the school.
