Maarifa Bursaries

“Despite their rich culture and proximity to Kenya’s major region of eco-tourism, the Maasai are one of the most marginalised and poorest tribes of East Africa.”

Less than 10 percent of Maasai children complete primary school – and even less have the opportunity of a secondary education.  Without support, these young people are at risk – with little opportunity to reach their full potential and give back to their community in the future.

The Maarifa Foundation recognises that investing in education is an important factor for achieving long-term conservation outcomes.  Our school fee support program set students on a path toward becoming responsible individuals and environmental stewards who increase their families’ incomes, contribute to economic development, and promote harmony between wildlife and society.

Our minimum 50% female policy ensures that girls, who are often the first to be overlooked, are at highest risk of drop out, leading to outcomes such as  early marriage, are equally supported.

Educating girls is the single most effective avenue to achieving economic and social growth”

Primary School Fee Support

Our resources, thanks to donors like you, allow us to support student fees at three schools in the Mara and Amboseli.

Illoirero Primary School is located in the Eselenkei Group Ranch and borders Selenkay Conservancy in the Amboseli Ecosystem. This is a day school, and we have been sponsoring students here since 2020. We are currently sponsoring 50 students and are able to cover 100% of their annual fee at just $50 (Australian dollars) per student. Visit our sponsorship page if you would like to become an Illoirero Primary School sponsor.

Kishermoruak Primary School is a boarding school located on the boundaries of Ol Kinyei Conservancy in the Mara. Since 2022, we have been paying 50% of annual tuition fees for 16 students identified as most in need. This has been made possible thanks to the ongoing support of the Solomons Group. We call these students “the Solomons Sixteen’

If you are able to help increase this number from 16 by becoming a sponsor (just $90 (Australian dollars) per year), click here for more information.

Oloibormurt Primary School joined the Maarifa family in 2024. Also a boarding school, it is located in proximity to the Mara Ripoi and Ol Kinyei Conservancies. We have just five students sponsored in 2024 but are proud to announce that we will increase to 10 in 2025 and are currently seeking sponsors to help make this a reality. For $90 (Australian dollars) per year, you can help support a young person receive a primary school education. Click here for more information.

Secondary School Bursaries

In 2023 we extended our support to offering high school bursaries to students identified as in need but also hard working and high performing.

The students we sponsor, attend different secondary institutions across the country, but are from the Maasai communities that support the Selenkay, Ol Kinyei and Mara Ripoi Conservancies.

Combined we, have 16 students from the Mara and Amboseli receiving bursaries. We fund 50% of secondary school fees for selected eligible students, each year adding 4 additional students from each locality to our program.

Maarifa Futures Scholarship

2025 will see the introduction of a brand new Maarifa-driven education support program. With sincere gratitude to a very generous donor who has been involved with the Foundation since its inception, we will be 100% funding one young person to attend the Wildlife Tourism College in the Maasai Mara to train to become a professional field guide.

At a cost of $2500 (Australian dollars) per year, this is simply out of reach for most young people who have aspirations to further their education and train for a career in the tourism and conservation industry.

We are so excited, and humbled by the generosity of our donor, who will be making this opportunity a reality for one worthy member of the Maasai community.

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Maarifa Bursaries