Safari Day 2: Makuyuni Primary School

Jambo Creations was born at the breakfast table as Karen and I chatted about how much impact small investments can have in cultures such as Tanzania's.  Karen was particularly impressed with how Jackson's "Village Water Project" had enabled children to attend school.

Given that education is the primary force behind individual achievement and lifting third world economies out of poverty, we were keen to see a typical school on our way to today's
destination, Lake Manyara National Park.  

Child helping his family instead of attending school.

So, as we jumped into the Land Cruiser and made our request, Clamian proposed to visit Makayuni Primary School.  Located in the countryside miles out of Arusha, it serves poor village communities, mostly Masai but a bit of a melting pot that reflects the unified tribal cultures of Tanzania.  Most of all, it reflects the dedication of the teachers as well as the genuine desire of families to give their children the tools to improve their futures.

Clamian greeted by personnel of school

Samwel Sarikikyu, headmaster. We chat with him about the challenges facing his school.

The kids greet us. They sit 3 to a desk.

 

Samwel explains the shortage of textbooks

One textbook is shared by 3-4 desks

Samwel knows how to hold the kids attention



Karen confers with Samwel



Lou & Clamian look on



Smaller kids sit 4 to a desk

One textbook shared by 8-12 students

There's no money to repair these desks

Kids swarm around us to see their faces in our cameras, shrieking and giggling with delight.