Education is the key to success whether in personal advancement or in the interests of a common good. In a recent evaluation of our area, it was noticed that most Manyatta (Masai villages) had many small children. Following tradition, as the children grow older, they are expected to contribute to the life of the village, which involves collecting firewood, repairing the mud huts, and in the case of the boys, husbandry of livestock. This is part of an age-old tradition, which is central to the Masai and which we fully respect.

In this rapidly developing world, it is becoming imperative that the Masai communities are not left behind and that the children have the opportunityof an appropriate education. As part of our environmental programme, Bushtops supports the Nkoilale School, located four kilometres from the camp, attended by over 450 children, with ages ranging from pre-school to 18. There are in total only four government-paid teachers, assisted by three further teachers, who are sponsored by the parents themselves. Bushtops, under the supervision of the Headmaster, has recently initiated a programme where by senior staff from the camp assist in practical teaching projects reflecting the school’s curriculum.

For example, food production and hygiene forms part of the Home Economics syllabus. These students, together with their teachers, enjoy an organized visit to our kitchens. This is a unique opportunity for them to experience a commercial kitchen at first hand.

The school also runs an environmental club, which we support by allowing the children to participate in game drives, including visits to other camps in the area. This helps them to understand the value of tourism to the welfare of their community.

As part of this years development of the school Mara Bushtops is donating a FREE three night Full board accomodation with Game drives for two persons excluding Game Park entrance in order to raise funds to drill a bore hole for water at the school. This borehole is estimated to cost 2 million Kenya shillings and we are offering lottery tickets at a price of $20 per ticket. If you would like to support this initaitive please contact us.