2020 was a very challenging year for The Maa Trust. Despite the difficulties, we have tried hard to provide project continuity and proceed with the planned, phased commencement of new initiatives where appropriate. Whilst this year brought difficulties, it also brought many opportunities for us to develop new partnerships and find new ways to serve the communities in the Maasai Mara. 

We hope that you will enjoy reading the 2020 Annual Report which summarises the trust's programmes, activities and impact.

Click Here to Read the Annual Report.

The Integrated Community Healthcare Project (ICHP) Update

The Integrated Community Healthcare Project (ICHP) team held 15 medical camps in different villages in the 2nd quarter, 2021. We are excited to have held these medical camps.
The team of six Community Health Mobilisers (CHMs) is also reaching out to community members with health education as well as coordinating backpack and referral activities. The total number of people reached by the health project for the quarter is 3,996.
We are grateful to the following project partners for making this work possible: África Digna CHASE Africa Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association Norad Hemingways Collection (Olseki), Community Health Partners, and the Ministry of Health Kenya.

The Maa Trust Conducts Street Business School (SBS) Mid-Coaching Visits

For the past four months The Maa Trust has been training 26 community members in Aitong village, Maasai Mara on The Street Business School (SBS) entrepreneurship Programme. 43 community members registered for the training in January but only 26 have continued with the training. The training aims to eradicate poverty by igniting entrepreneurial potential.
“Most people ignore business trainings including me. People who already have existing businesses assume there is nothing new to be learnt. I have been in business for three years now, selling the same 45 Kilograms of potatoes every market day. But since I joined SBS training for the past four months I have grown beyond my imagination. I now sell 135Kgs of potatoes, Maasai shukas, and tea every market day. I have learnt starting small, does not mean staying small forever.” Naishorua Kasale.

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‘Enduatta’ Street Business School (SBS) Class of 2021 Graduation

The Maa Trust held an SBS graduation ceremony for the Enduatta 2021 class on July 1st at Aitong Center. After completing the six-month business training, 25 members were awarded certificates. There were six men and nineteen women graduates.
The graduates and their trainer, Isen Kipetu, began the celebration by singing and dancing around Aitong Centre. The members were overjoyed at their accomplishment, and several people of the community joined them in their celebration. The grads were ecstatic; some had never attended school or received a certificate before. As a result, this was a significant milestone for them. 

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The Maa Trust Staff Plants Trees

The delicate balance of the Mara ecosystem is threatened by deforestation, population growth, land conversion to agriculture, livestock overgrazing, and the introduction of non-native plant species. The Maa Trust is launching a project to restore an area of Savannah through the planting of indigenous species to revive a portion of this thriving ecosystem. The project will be based at The Maa Trust (TMT) headquarters which borders Olare Motorogi Conservancy (OMC), Naboisho Conservancy, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve. 
On Tuesday, TMT employees launched the initiative by planting trees around their offices. Every staff member was given the opportunity to plant a tree.
"According to Wangari Maathai, until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven't done a thing. I'm pleased that The Maa Trust has taken the first step toward restoring the Savanna habitat; it demonstrates our dedication to the environment, wildlife, and community. If we work together, we can achieve whatever we set our minds to.” Faith Kaesha, Administrator, The Maa Trust.

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TMT Launches Healthy Nutrition & Kitchen Gardens Project in Mara

The Maa Trust has launched Healthy Nutrition & Kitchen Gardens Project in Maasai Mara. Pastoralism is the main source of income and livelihood for most of the Maasai Mara communities. Families in these communities are therefore forced to purchase all agricultural products for consumption. With their way of life, lack of nutrition information, and high poverty levels, these communities are highly affected by malnutrition.
To contribute to the health and wellbeing of families in Maasai Mara, The Maa Trust (TMT) will train 500 women in the region on healthy nutrition and kitchen garden development skills. These women represent a household. Using an estimate of 5 persons per household, the project will impact 2500 people. 

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Kitchen Garden Initiative Benefits Women in Maasai Mara.

Since The Maa Trust launched the Healthy Nutrition & Kitchen Gardens Project in Maasai Mara, many women have started their own kitchen gardens. We paid Kimererio Soit a visit at her home, where she has created a kitchen garden to feed her family and earn money. An interview with her is provided below. Isen Sitatian-Gender Project Officer “Did you have any experience with kitchen gardening prior to the I&M training in Healthy Nutrition & Kitchen Gardens?” Kimererio Soit-Beneficiary in inkamuriak “No, I had no experience with a kitchen garden or farming, which is why I was so eager to start my own sukuma (kales) kitchen garden right after the training.”

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 TMT Child Counselor Visits Anti FGM Board-Kenya

Our Child counselor, Isaac Tobiko, visited our partner, the Anti-FGM Board, Kenya, to strategize on how best to deliver the Anti-FGM campaigns during these challenging times of the pandemic. Following changes in the school calendar, they also discussed the best way to reach all children.
The Maa Trust is grateful for the Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials donated by the Anti-FGM Board during the visit.