Scholarships

This program opens doors for vulnerable Maasai children by providing scholarships from primary through university, ensuring every child can learn and thrive. Beyond tuition, families are engaged through trainings on child rights, health, and conservation, creating a strong support system around each student. Through conservation camps, children also learn to value and protect the wildlife that sustains their communities. Together, these efforts are nurturing a new generation of educated leaders and environmental stewards in the Maasai Mara.

Opening Doors Through Education

Education is one of the most powerful tools for breaking cycles of poverty and ensuring long-term conservation outcomes in the Maasai Mara. The Maa Trust’s scholarship and conservation camp initiatives deliver life-changing opportunities for vulnerable children and youth, ensuring that no promising student is left behind due to financial barriers.

Through the basic scholarship program, 22 students at the primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary levels received full support, enabling them to continue their studies with dignity and confidence. The program achieved a remarkable 100% transition rate, ensuring that all students progressed seamlessly through the education system. Among them, four secondary school students completed their studies—one advancing to university and three enrolling in technical training colleges, setting them on diverse career paths that will benefit both their families and communities.

At the tertiary level, 56 young men and women were supported by scholarships funded through generous partners including Saruni Basecamp Foundation, Aqua Nirvana Foundation, and Asilia Africa. A proud milestone was the graduation of Trizah Nampaso, the first student to complete tertiary education under The Maa Trust’s support. Having begun her scholarship journey in 2018 as a secondary school student, Trizah graduated with a Diploma in Supply Chain Management from Mt. Kenya University in 2024 and has now joined The Maa Trust’s procurement department. Her journey reflects the program’s long-term commitment to nurturing students into successful professionals who contribute back to their communities.

Holistic Support for Students and Families

The program recognizes that true educational success requires a supportive environment beyond tuition. Parent engagement sessions emphasized academic accountability while also addressing broader issues of child rights, maternal and child health, and the importance of wildlife conservation. This holistic approach ensures that education is not pursued in isolation, but rather embedded within community values and responsibilities.

To further support vulnerable students, The Maa Trust conducted school follow-ups and targeted home visits, providing essential food and hygiene supplies during school holidays. These interventions bridged critical gaps for students facing socio-economic challenges, ensuring their wellbeing both inside and outside the classroom.

Building the Next Generation of Leaders and Stewards

By investing in education, engaging families, and linking learning to conservation, The Maa Trust’s scholarship and conservation camp initiatives are shaping a generation of young people who are empowered to lead, protect, and transform their communities. Whether advancing into careers, contributing back to their communities, or inspiring others through conservation, these students represent the future of both people and wildlife in the Mara.