Maasai School 121

Last fall a group of school supporters from WA, CA and CO visited Tanzania and the school. It was such a pleasure for me to introduce them to this country of incredible sights and the beautiful and welcoming Maasai people. Above all, it was true joy to bring them to this school, of and for the Maasai, that is doing such true and lasting good for the kids and their families. In the words of a Maasai elder, “ This used to be a place to leave. Now it’s a place to come to.”

Our hearts were full with the joy of seeing old friends and making new ones. We are so proud of what these amazing Maasai leaders are doing to raise their community up. God has blessed their hard work and dedication.

Smiles. Before this school, there was NO high school in the area. Kids could only attend school up to seventh grade… that’s for those kids who actually went to school at all.

This school, Return Home Secondary School, has been operating for ten years. This year 100 kids came for the academic screening test hoping to be accepted into the school. There are only 35 places available each year. More schools needed!

Doing the dishes! It takes a bit bigger pot to cook for 160 hungry kids.

Joy as we pose after sharing Sunday worship together. Feb 2024

Look! The fuel station. It’s doing well, busily selling fuel and espresso, and fresh donuts and items from its mini market. It’s current small profit has helped some with food and water for the secondary school kids during this drought and the huge price hike for food. Someday we hope and pray it will be making enough profit to pay teachers salaries.
Tell your Tanzanian friends to stop by the station and fill up!
We did. 😃

35 new kids will be admitted to next year’s Form I class. 110 youth brought their pens and hopeful hearts to “interview day” on Saturday. Every chair was filled for the academic screening test.
We all are so happy for the great interest in the school. We adults, teachers and admin especially, have heavy hearts at the prospect of turning away so many. There is not space for more, though we all sat together brainstorming solutions. We admire and love these teachers who suggested ways they could go above and beyond to accommodate more kids.

The school struggles already with high food and water prices during this drought and world wide food crisis. Maasai School 121 ensures teacher salaries - this is in one sense a sponsorship for all the kids as it effectively lowers tuition costs and frees up funds for food and water.

If you’d like to be part of this effort, visit www.maasaischool121 to donate.

Gifts to me: beautiful beaded jewelry and purse. Wilson’s mother bestows on Tim a beaded cow tail fly swatter and demonstrates its use!

Graduation day! 5th year REtirn Home Secondary has graduated a class. Congratulations all!

Students - ready to cut up in between classes. Some things are the same everywhere!