
Student Sponsorship
Despite the Maasia’s 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.
These lessons introduce students to the ecological significance of their local ecosystem where they live and highlights some of the major natural values and the benefits of protecting their unique biodiversity.
Topics covered include:
- Introduction to ecology and conservation biology
- The Amboseli and Mara ecosystems
Threatened Species
These lessons provide an overview of the threats facing wildlife in their local area and the challenges surrounding conservation solutions. With schools in the Amboseli ecosystem, we focus a lot on elephants and introduce students to the term ‘key stone species’. In the Mara, we talk a lot about lions and their role in the ecosystem and why they are also under threat. Rhino are no longer found in Amboseli and very very few are left in the Mara – the ‘why’ is discussed in great detail.
Topics covered include:
- Why species become threatened
- Human-wildlife conflict
- Conservation solutions and success stories
Ole Peenko's Journey - Story reading & discussion
In these lessons, students will read the Ole Peenko’s Journey series, written by Kenya Wildlife Trust. These books contains fictional stories focusing on the real-life conservation challenge of human-wildlife conflict
Fences & Wildlife Movement
Fencing and land subdivision has become a common, yet unfortunate side effect of increasing population pressures. Too much fencing and use of inappropriate styled fencing, has seen a spike in injuries to wildlife and significant disruptions to natural wildlife movement.
But not all fencing is bad. Some fences keep animals off roads, some keep threatened species safe. In these lessons we illustrate how fencing is used well in conservation, and also discuss the innovative alternatives that can be used where traditional fencing is not the best option and should be avoided.
Natural Resources & Climate Change
These lessons introduce students to the foundational concepts of natural resources and the complex, yet vitally relevant topic of climate change. how these resources are affected in their areas by human activity. Pertinent threats to Amboseli and the Mara’s natural resources include land use change, overpopulation and the illegal wildlife trade.
- What are natural resources and why we need to protect them
- Threats to natural resources, including waste and pollution and how they affect climate change
- Sustainability and reducing the impacts of climate change
- Creating resilient communities and ecosystems
Field Trips
Annual excursions to Amboseli National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve. It is so important we don’t just teach about the environment and conservation in classrooms – this is only part of it. We must show them and have them experience nature if we ever want them to truly appreciate it. Although on their doorsteps, many of the students would never have the opportunity otherwise to visit these world renowned protected areas.

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