Ngila ECDE and Primary School

Ng’ila is more than a school, it’s a safe, nurturing hub of learning, nutrition, and community supported by The Maa Trust. With enrolment growing by 51% in 2024, children now benefit from daily meals, new classrooms, a library, and a conservation-friendly kitchen garden that enriches their education. The school also champions advocacy and protection, hosting events like the Day of the African Child and providing safe access to quality education close to home. By integrating facilities, nutrition, water security, and community engagement, Ng’ila is a model for holistic, sustainable education in the Maasai Mara.

Growth, Facilities & Nutrition

In 2024, Ng’ila ECDE and Primary School achieved a remarkable 51% increase in enrolment, growing from 90 to 136 learners. This milestone reflects the deepening awareness in the community about the value of education and the trust placed in Ng’ila as a safe, nurturing learning environment.

The children’s education has been further supported by daily meals provided through the Rowan Collective’s feeding programme, ensuring learners, teachers, and staff remain nourished and focused. A new school uniform initiative uplifted morale and pride among the pupils, reinforcing the dignity and discipline that comes with quality schooling.

Significant infrastructure development has also been realized. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of 12-year-old Lenny Gerber and his family, two new classrooms were completed and opened in January 2024, while the Ng’ila community raised funds to employ two additional teachers, expanding the teaching staff from three to five.

Complementing this growth, The Maa Trust supported the training of teachers and established a conservation-friendly kitchen garden, which supplements school meals with fresh, organically grown vegetables. Meanwhile, a fully equipped library funded by Asilia continues to enrich children’s learning experiences.

Advocacy, Protection & Sustainability

Ng’ila’s role extends beyond classrooms — it is a hub for advocacy, protection, and sustainability. In June 2024, the school hosted the Day of the African Child under the theme “Education for All Children in Africa: The Time is Now”.

The event brought together 220 learners from five neighbouring schools, who engaged in powerful discussions with community leaders on pressing issues like gender disparities and early marriages. The platform gave children a voice, mobilized support, and reinforced the urgent need for inclusive, equitable education.

For families, the establishment of Ng’ila means their children no longer walk long distances through wildlife-prone areas or study under trees exposed to harsh weather. Instead, they now learn in safe, well-structured classrooms that nurture their potential.

The school also shares its 400,000-litre rainwater harvesting system with the surrounding community, ensuring reliable access to clean, safe drinking water — further embedding the school as a cornerstone of wellbeing.

Ng’ila ECDE and Primary School is now a model for holistic, sustainable education in the Maasai Mara. By integrating nutrition, water security, community involvement, and advocacy into the learning environment, it represents a blueprint that can be replicated to transform education access across other remote communities.