Maasai children must cross difficult, dangerous terrain in order to access schooling. The semi-nomadic tribe encourages child marriage and polygamy, and traditionally has not valued education. Sisters of Notre Dame began serving the Maasai people in 2008, slowly gaining the trust of the elders and encouraging families to entrust their children to the Sisters for an education. Notre Dame Osotwa School was founded in 2012 and proper boarding facilities were recently completed.
Boarding facilities ensure students have continuous access to school and study time, and delays practices such as early child marriage, child labor, and female genital mutilation. By creating spacious and equipped hostel for these Maasai children, they are protected from such practices and get quality and value -based education. Being able to accommodate more pupils in the hostel in Simanjiro supports broader national sustainable goals related to gender equality and human rights together with quality education.
A recent grant from the Hilton Fund for Sisters provided metal bunk beds for 200 children. Many of these children have only ever slept on the floor or on an animal pellet. Insufficient sleeping environments led to back pain, chest congestion, and poor sleep quality. All of these obstacles affect student’s ability to learn.
These new bunk beds have a lasting impact on the community:
- Pest control: All boarding facilities struggle with bed bugs and other pests. Metal bunks are safer and more hygienic, allowing for regular sanitation procedures.
- Durability: Wooden bunks have proven to be less durable. Metal bunks ensure a longer lifespan and a better investment of resources.
- Safety: There have been many tragedies in Africa where wooden beds have posed a fire risk, metal bunks are safer in the event of fire.
- Reduced childhood marriage. By allowing students to stay in school and focus on their studies, marriage is delayed and children have a chance to improve their quality of life.
Safe boarding facilities, which includes bunk beds, allows children to focus on learning and growing!
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