In the heart of the Maasai community, there is a growing recognition of the power of education in breaking the chains of poverty.
Children in rural, disadvantaged regions of Tanzania, are getting access to the kind of formal education which has been a distant dream for many families.
Through education, I believe I can change my life and that of my community.
Deep cultural practices have made it challenging, especially for young girls, who often find their schooling cut short when parents arrange for them to be married off before finishing school.
Namelok, a joyful young girl enrolled at Naserian Secondary School, which is supported by Help for the Maasai, expresses her gratitude and excitement about being able to attend school.
With a voice full of hope, she says, "I am happy to be in school, where I have a chance to learn and interact with other students. Being in school also protects me from cultural practices like female genital mutilation and early child marriages that are still prevalent in our community.”
She adds, “Through education, I believe I can change my life and that of my community."
Simon, a third-year student at the same school, shares, "I love playing football with other students at school, and my favourite subjects are physics, biology, and history.”
He adds, "I hope to become a lawyer someday."
Thanks to MAF’s partners, Help for the Maasai, their education projects are giving hope of a brighter future for Maasai children.
From kindergarten to vocational training schools, these institutions offer opportunity for learning and growth beyond traditional practices. For many children, the meals provided by the school are their only meal of the day.
We thank MAF and its leadership for their dedicated use of aircrafts to cater to the needs of the community. God bless MAF.
The schools also have boarding facilities for children who travel up to two hours to attend, offering both girls and boys a home within the school to give them ample time to study.
MAF's partnership with Help for the Maasai has brought tremendous growth and positive change to the community.
Paulo Emmanuel, the coordinator for Help for the Maasai, expresses his heartfelt gratitude for the partnership with MAF, stating, "MAF's partnership makes it easy for us to secure seats to transport our staff, donors, volunteers, and patients during emergencies from Malambo to other locations.
"Last year, we called MAF to transport two of our teachers who needed urgent medical care, and we would have lost them if it weren't for their flight."
He added, "We thank MAF and its leadership for their dedicated use of aircraft to cater to the needs of the community. God bless MAF."
Story and photos: Jacqueline Mwende