At the border of Tsavo Park in Kenya, lives the Maasai Community. An inspiring tale of three inseparable friends, Sailepu, Temuka, and Kuresoi, who have spent their days under the sun, herding livestock miles and miles from their homes. All their life, the boys had never known the walls of a classroom, their education confined to the vastness of the wilderness, the goats and cows around them. Fate, however, had a different plan for them. Far from the familiar sights of the acacia trees, wandering elephants, and wild animals from the park, Faith Kiio and Tomi Dobbs crossed their path.
Educating the needy
As Faith and Tomi were launching the borehole that had just been drilled at Iltilal Secondary School. The yield of water that was in the borehole was quite outstanding,
enough to sustain a village and the wild animals. Not long after the water from the borehole had started flowing that a large herd of cows and goats was hurriedly drawn to the water flowing. Lack of water has been a serious issue for the villagers in Iltilal. It is when Faith was drawn by the shyness of two young boys who were hiding in the
nearby bushes Temuka and Sailepu. They were keenly observing the cows and goats as they drank the water but too timid to step out of the bushes to talk to people. It was when she learned that these boys were being paid $18 per month to be herdsmen for the animals they were looking after. These boys were all rugged and dusty from miles of walking and probably days of not having the luxury of taking a shower. The compassion Tomi felt for these boys she immediately gave each a brand new t-shirt from Faith Kenya Mission.
Kuresoi who was also looking after a herd of animals nearby was saddened that he had been left out. All these boys were in torn clothes, barefoot, it was quite a pitiful sight. Recognizing the transformative power of education, Faith and Tomi extended an offer to educate the boys, a gesture that would alter the course of their lives, Temuka, at 13 Sailepu, at 13, and Kuresoi, the youngest at 12, stood on the threshold of a new chapter in their lives. Their eyes, accustomed to the untamed beauty of Tsavo Park, now shine with curiosity and anticipation. The idea of stepping into a classroom was as alien as the stories of far-off places, yet the prospect of attending school like their agemates, and stepping into a classroom, wearing actual school uniform twinkled in their eyes, their smiles and excitement was quite heart warming. Now the boys are in one of the best boarding schools, receiving maximum attention and educational assistance so that they can learn to read and write with ease.
In the tranquility of the Maasai village, Temuka, Sailepu, and Kuresoi are going to be proof that education can be a bridge between worlds, an adventure that began beneath the shade of an old tree and carried its echoes across the savannah. Indeed, a better future for all. Marking a tale of hope, compassion, and the enduring power of education, this would not have been possible without the support of the people of Lexington.
How You Can Get Involved
- Donate: Your contributions help fund educational programs,
- Volunteer: Join us on the ground and help lead workshops, support outreach initiatives, and engage with local communities.