Who we are

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it is the only thing that ever has" ~Margaret Mead

I love this quote.  It speaks to me of what is still possible; changing lives of  those less fortunate.  The Amboseli Children's Fund grew out of a desire to do just this.

In 2012, I went on safari in Kenya.  During the tour they took us to a few of the Maasai villages.  Very primitive by American standards; their way of life was foreign to me, but one couldn’t help but be impressed by their proud bearing; the close family units and their commitment 

to each other. 

I was so overwhelmed by the disadvantages inherent to a 3rd world county, that upon return to the US, I began thinking about what I could do to help.  There are a lot of non-profit Kenya organizations on-line but I wanted to be sure that I had a one-on-one connection with the recipients of the program.  

As it turned out, I actually had a former Maasai warrior working for me.   His name was Leonard Mpaayo and as I shared my thoughts with him it soon became clear our collaboration was meant to be. Leonard has a vested interest in seeing that the people of the Amboseli Maasai villages
succeed; it is his home and they are his extended family.  He is a firm believer that education is the key to ensuring a better life for his people – and I wholeheartedly agree.

 Leonard spends approximately 7 months a year in Kenya - overseeing our program, schools and kids.  He is a man of integrity, honesty and commitment; which are attributes not easy to find in a 3rd world country.  I handle administration, sponsorship and local presentations.  I travel to Kenya every few years and meet with the children and their parents as well as teachers and school administrators. Neither of us is compensated, we take care of our own expenses and travel.

It has been a good partnership thus far; we understand we can’t change the world, but “education for one mtoto (child) at a time” is feasible!  This opens up a whole new future for them, making all things possible.

Shari Young
Founder
Amboseli Children's Fund 

 A Maasai warrior who fulfilled his dreams through education.

I was born in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the Amboseli region of Southern Maasai land, Kenya.  I grew up in a village (manyatta) of mud
huts enclosed by a thorn (acacia tree) fence. It was a natural way of life with no modern conveniences and few comforts.  There is little
infrastructure; no paved roads, no electricity or refrigeration, no running water (water had to be carried from rivers, springs or wells).  Also, on the Savannah lands was the ever-present danger of wild animals; elephants, buffalo, hippos and the great carnivores - lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals.

Until the age of 10, as with most Maasai boys, I tended the family's calves and cattle. Then as the youngest of 11 children my parents informed me that the Kenyan government had decreed that every family should send one child to school.  In our family, I was that child.

 I attended  government primary schools.  I was a boarder as it was too far to walk there from our ever shifting manyatta.  I saw my family at vacation times only.  In this environment I thrived.  My world opened up and I worked hard to be one of the few in the community to pass the high school entrance examination (which is competitive) and gain a highly coveted chance to go to beyond primary school.  The Kenyan school authorities sent me far away from Amboseli to Narok where I attended Olchekut Supat Apostolic Secondary school, a boarding school run by missionaries.  To pay for this my father had to sell some of his cattle, his only means of support.  I am, to this day, the only person in my immediate family who has been educated and become literate. 

An internship with the Serena Safari Lodge in Amboseli National Park allowed me to further my education and earn a Wildlife Management Certificate.  I became one of 10 senior staff.

Unexpectedly, there would be another chapter that would ultimately take me far from the lands of my birth.  In 2007, I met the woman who would become my wife while she and her friends were on safari in Amboseli.   In 2010 I moved to California where I have lived a life far beyond the dreams of a young Maasai cattle herder. It is my hope that through education many other Maasai children may have the opportunity to live a life beyond

 their dreams too.
Leonard Soipei ole Mpaayo
Co-Founder
Amboseli Children's Fund 

For Maasai each day is forever and the "Now" is what they live in. 

 I became a board member for Amboseli Children’s Fund in 2014.   I have served on various boards and much of my focus has been advocating for victims of domestic violence and human rights.   Yet when I traveled to Kenya with Leonard and Shari and experienced first hand the difficulties facing Maasai children I felt compelled to get involved with ACF as well. All of my time is voluntary; we do not take compensation for our efforts.

 Like many before me I was not prepared for the lack of any infrastructure and basic
necessities in Maasailand.  The needs of the Maasai are many and cannot be solved with
just handouts.  That doesn't mean we cannot help.  Our solution (which is not original) is
to help children help themselves as in the long term this is so more effective.  We can assist by giving a "hand up" one child at a time.

At ACF we believe that education is the key to a better future for Maasai children.  Quality
education is lacking in the Amboseli region and because of the cost and distance it is out of reach for most Maasai families.  It is hard to attract teachers to locations that do not have the facilities to support a modern life; to harsh environments that people outside the tribe are
not used to; often there is no electricity or running water.  In addition the salaries paid are
very small.  This is why the private academies we work with provide a much better curriculum and in turn a better education.  

We believe our program provides the skills, knowledge and tools to help children
get the kind of education that enables them to attend high school and beyond. And it doesn't end there.  Kenya has almost a 90% unemployment rate. This means a diploma simply isn't enough. Our students receive counseling and direction regarding their career path plus we work with the Academies and University and job placement entities to ensure they will be able to fulfill their dreams the way that Leonard has been able to do. 

Basia Christ

Treasurer & Secretary

Amboseli Children's Fund

 Changing lives, one child at a time.

 My journey with ACF began with a chance opportunity to travel to Africa with Shari when Basia was unable to make the trip. At the time I could not have imagined that this seemingly simple bit of luck would change my view of the world and my place in it. In preparation for leaving I imagined the scenery and the wildlife we might encounter while there, the people, the smell of the air, the possible dangers and of course the unexpected surprises. 

Once there a new reality quickly began to emerge. I found myself drawn to the kids, drawn in a way I could not have possibly predicted. I knew in advance that these were children who come from a life of poverty we as westerners can't begin to imagine. 

When we get up each morning we simply flick a switch and there's light, we turn a handle and lo and behold.... water. When we open the door to go outside we don't have to look around to see if a lion is hiding in the bush, life for us is pretty easy. None of these things are true for these kids and yet, I was struck by their smiles and happy outlook. No complaints, no whining, just a sense of wonder about us and a happy joyful outlook towards each other and their strange new guests.

When I agreed to go on this new adventure I had no reason to believe I would get involved in any other way then to simply show up for our departing flight. I couldn't have been more wrong. Within the first couple of days I began to fall in love with these kids, you really can't help but be overwhelmed by their laughter and gentle nature. Before the end of the first week I knew that my time and thoughts about Africa and these kids would not end with the flight home.

I sponsor a young girl named Nancy, she is as cute as a button, with a smile that can melt your heart, as it did mine. I will be her sponsor for as long as she's in school, including University (I hope).  We met the first week we were there and when Shari told me she had no sponsor, well, game over. I was in for the long haul -however long and for wherever it might lead, I'll be there for her in any way I can. We talk and correspond when it's possible but the truth is I miss her and wish it were possible to be together from time to time but it's obviously not easy.

The other part of the story and a big part of why I've taken on this responsibility, is the way Shari runs ACF.  The Integrity of ACF was vital to my participation.  All funds collected are used for the education and benefit of the kids, period.  The funds to travel to Africa do not come from sponsors or donors. All overhead costs are paid for by Shari, not by collected funds.   Another equally important part of the program for me is Leonard. Having Leonard in Africa to manage the day-to-day affairs is critical to the programs success, and his dedication to it for me was a very important part of my signing on to ACF.

You often hear it said that one person can change the world.  Well, that may be true but what may be more true and just as important is that one person can help to change one small part of it for the better. You can't grow a field of corn with one seed.... but it's a start.

Rich Fisher

Board Member

Amboseli Children's Fund

 First they say if you are to handle yourself use your brain but if you are to handle others then use your heart . 

 I am a Mom, a Maasai lady and a business woman. l was born in the Amboseli plains southern Kenya region. Born at  a time when boy child education, F.G.M (female genital mutilation) and early marriages thrived among our community.

At a young age boys already knew pretty well that they were considered more valuable than girls. They were taken to school and girls left at home to look after cattle and do other domestic chores.

 I was fortunate; at the age of a grade four student l began my primary education with the help of a World Vision sponsorship. l started off from grade one because l was bright and didn't need to do preschool classes. My primary school life was tough as my parents knew nothing about books and they never cared much about education.

 I would go back home to find lots of house chores to do, nothing to eat and little time to study. After getting all the chores done it would be late at night when I could read by the fire so you can imagine the smoke , mosquito's and other distractions.
After completing my primary education l passed and wanted to go on to high school but World Vision dropped their sponsorship.  Thankfully I was able to convince my dad to pay for my fees.  At that time we were considered old enough for the F.G.M rite. Every girl had to pass through this otherwise the community would despise and chase you away.  We were circumcised forcefully and then if not in school, married off to older men as the second and third wife. The ritual was very painful and a lot of bleeding was experienced. After recovery l joined high school and life became easier as I less domestic work to do and maximum time to read. l passed with flying colors and even qualified to join the Kenya Medical Training Centre but unfortunately got pregnant. 

l tried explaining to my Dad but he turned a deaf ear to me and married me off to a man of his choice. l was basically sold off to a new family and place. 

Dedicating my time and energy to my in-laws and giving birth to kids was one of my the hardest times in my life. l had to do everything perfectly otherwise the hell l would pass through was unbearable. My education bore no fruits until l decided to transform lives through education and became a teacher. l advised young girls on the effects of F.G.M and early marriages. It was tiring but extremely rewarding at the end of the day.

After Leonard told me about Amboseli Children's Fund and their desire to help Maasai children thru education, I didn't hesitate to offer my assistance.  I help with transporting the kids to their various schools, speaking with educators, monitoring their progress and reporting their scores. Seeing girls thrive in their new environment and become valuable in the community has made me more than happy.  I believe education for both boys and girls is essential to our community and will positively affect not only this generation but ones to come.  

Anna Reya

Kenya Project Coordinator

Amboseli Children's Fund