Nasaruni students
Nasaruni
Maasai girls live very constrained lives, contending with the cultural history of parents who educate only sons. Girls thus have little hope for a future beyond the literal and cultural confines of child marriage, early child-bearing, and housekeeping. In fact, barely 5% of girls pursue a high school education.
Denying girls an education takes away their right to self-determination. Nasaruni Academy provides education and life skills (including self-awareness and self-empowerment), so they can make their own choices about the future.
In early 2024, Entashata Primary School received a generous $5,000 gift for a major water project, contributing to a total project cost exceeding $30,000. The funds are managed by the community School Board alongside Dennis and Leah Sonkoi, former Maasai residents. This dedicated community, passionate about providing education and opportunities for their children, now educates around 130 students daily. The introduction of free school lunches has increased attendance, and recent government recognition may soon relieve the community of the burden of raising teacher salaries.
The urgent need for water in the region is being addressed with a borehole project near the school that will benefit 157 extended families (about 2,000 people) in the village and surrounding areas. A hydrological survey identified fresh water 250 meters below ground, and drilling is underway. The project has been supported by H2OforLife, Population Connection, and Nasaruni Education Foundation.
Alice Sayo’s remarkable story begins with being the 11th of 12 children from a Maasai family. As a young girl, her father died, and Alice was bound for an early marriage and bearing children.
But her family wanted her to get an education and live a different life. They sent her to high school in Kenya and university in England. Since then, she’s wanted to provide Maasai girls with the same educational opportunities. She’s been a school principal, community outreach educator, and has sponsored the education of Maasai girls. Nasaruni Academy fulfills her dream of educating and nurturing girls from primary to secondary school.
Maasai girls are often married off in exchange for livestock. Nasaruni Academy offers an alternative to girls while respecting their culture and giving them a chance to take a positive role in their community.
Education in general is key to improving girls’ socio-economic status, health, and work opportunities. As more girls get a formal high school education, their skills and expertise become more accepted in the community. In other parts of Kenya, the education of Maasai girls has begun the shift toward women’s equality, safety, a voice in their own future, and hope for their families.
At Nasaruni, girls experience the life-changing impact of education. They can dream about—and actively seek—their own futures of new opportunities. They delay early marriage and childbirth, and are independent.
In 2021, Nasaruni added a high school for the girls who were graduating from the primary school. There’s no other school with the nurturing, positive, safe environment where they can thrive. These girls would have been at high risk for being married off according to their cultural tradition if they had not been able to continue their education.
Population Connection has joined with Nasaruni to help provide scholarships for primary and secondary students; help build out the new high school; and provide job training for local women.
In 2024, Population Connection also sent small donations to Nasaruni’s sister schools, Oblolet and Entashata. The schools will be using the funds to help with the construction of school buildings.
Young student in early primary school. 
Students in high school. 
High schoolers dressed for a traditional dance performance at the school. 
Nasaruni Academy students with founder Alice. 
These girls are happy for their school and proud to be Nasaruni students at the Academy. 
Primary school student. 
The whole Primary School at Nasaruni Academy. 
Girl with traditional Maasai jewelry and attire for formal occasions and celebrations at the school. All photos c/o Michelle Cude, Executive Director & Chair of the U.S. Board.
Through our Global Partners program, Population Connection supports a growing number of grassroots organizations around the world working to increase access to education, public health and family planning services. Their…
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