The 7 Campaign: Loita

Vital Stats

Dylan M

New York, NY

people helped150200
People Doing It 10

The Problem

Loita is located in the Southwest of Kenya near the Tanzania border. It is a very remote area in the Maasai land with an estimated total population of 150,000 inhabitants within roughly 60 km radius. The Maasai, known for being nomadic (mostly for grazing reasons), have started to settle more in the last few decades so that their children can attend school and create stable community initiatives. At this time, roughly 75% of this community attends primary school (since we helped build a school), only 56% attend secondary school (expensive and far away) and about 1% go on to university (even more expensive). They obtain no support from the government or NGOs. They do not have access to clean water, health care, and until Jan 2010 also did not have access to education or proper sanitation facilities. The community has limited to no access to employment opportunities and adults travel over 100 kms for a potential job and stay away from their families for months at a time to support their families. The entire community suffers from poverty and food scarcity due to drought and other weather-related issues. They are desperate to have the resources to build themselves a sustainable community. The Maasai community is an extremely resourceful community but unfortunately lacks the capital they need to turn their resourcefulness to support themselves and their community. The community is focused and dedicated to working together to ensure its success. They are eager to have an opportunity to explore and implement sustainable options for the betterment of the entire community and their childrens' future. For more information, visit : Loita Hills Academy Under the Acacia The 7 Campaign Lil' MDGs

Plan of Action

When we decided to make the resources available for this community, we began working with the understanding that it was imperative to have the community take a lead in the projects we would facilitate at Loita. After all, they will be responsible for maintaining and sustaining the community; therefore, it made the most sense to entrust them with the role of deciding what will work best for their community. After extensive meetings with the community, it was decided that building a school was the first step towards building a self-sustaining community in Loita. The community (just as we do) believes that education is key to solving any problem that exists in the world today and with a proper education, anyone can lift themselves out of poverty towards a brighter future. Little did we realize that this first step will turn out to be the story of how a school changed an entire community. As a first step, upon receiving a proposal from the community we began raising funds and resources to build a primary school in Loita. After more than a year of fundraising, we broke ground in December 2009 and Loita Hills Academy opened its door in January 2010. We opened the first school (offering free education) with one classroom and two teachers. 156 students showed up on the first day of school. In January 2011, we added another classroom and also built five latrines. When the school opened, the community elected a school board comprised of local leaders and parents which meets every 2 months to ensure education standards are being met and to continue to strategize the way forward for education in Loita. We opened on inaugural day with 156 students and there are now 209 students enrolled. The school is literally growing by the day and we continue to outgrow our classrooms as more students enroll with each room addition we build. Our school is in accordance with the Ministry of Educations mandates and we follow the national cirriculm of Kenya. On the Ministry’s last visit to our school in December 2010, we were recognized by them as being one of the best constructed school and best run. Our kids range from ages 3-14 and we are attended by 50% boys and 50% girls. Students are walking from far away villages to reach us each day. One of our students who is 13, leaves his house at 4 a.m. each morning, walks the dangerous (wild animals / harsh weather condidtions) 14 kilometers to and from school and returns home each night at 9 p.m. This is a perfect example of strong the need is for access to education here and just how serious they take it. His goal is to either become a doctor or a pilot. We spoke extensively with his father, who is both a community leader and a retired school headmaster. He explained to us how he had dreamed of a school in Loita his whole life and to see so many students today learning right here in Loita made him so proud and so excited for future of his village. With our attendance growing, we also recently added a third teacher. A fence around the property was built and trees and seeds were planted around the perimeter. Our classrooms are equipped with desks, chalkboards and cabinets to house supplies that only teachers have access to. Student uniforms and school supplies such as paper and pencils are provided free of charge to the students. Many colorful teaching aides decorate the walls creating an inviting learning environment for the students. Currently we are working on building a third classroom, a short-term water project, an administrative block and medical center, and implementing a feeding program. Future plans include implementing a long-term water project (borehole) as well as building a secondary school to make secondary education accessible and affordable to this community.

Project Updates

Under the Acacia, Lil' MDGs, and The World Schools Facilitate Cross-Cultural Exchange Between Students in the USA and Kenya Through the Toys for Watotos Campaign

Toys for Watotos (Watotos in Swahili means "children") Campaign is a new joint initiative of Under the Acacia, Lil’ MDGs, and The World Schools to collect books and learning aids for the students of Loita Hills Academy in Kenya. Loita Hills Academy opened its doors in January of 2010 and became the first school in Loita to bring education to hundreds of students in and around Loita. There are currently 209 students between the ages of 3-14 (50% male, 50% female) attending the primary school. This remote Maasai community does not have access to books or learning aids. They have never owned their own book or dreamed of someone sharing theirs with them. By collecting all kinds of books and learning aids/games these children will have a new outlook on education. The campaign will document on video the collection of items from the students in the United States and the delivery and distribution of items to the students in Kenya creating a cross cultural exchange of understanding and communication.

"Loita is a very remote area with little access to anything. No water, no electricity, and until last year, no access to education. Imagine never seeing, let alone owning, a school book, a puzzle, a game?,” says Jess Teutonico, Co-Founder of Loita Hills Academy and the Founder and CEO of Under the Acacia. “Then imagine kids your age from half way across the world wanting to share that happiness with you? Imagine what your face would look like when you are given your very own book? Imagine how proud you would be and eager to learn more."

The campaign will accept new or gently used story books, coloring books, educational books, puzzle books, and text books in English in usable condition for ages 3 - 14. The campaign will also accept learning aids such as games, board games, puzzles, etc. Battery operated or electrical items, stuffed animals, dolls, and video games will not be accepted.

“I cannot imagine not owning or seeing a book.” says 7-year-old Nina Mahalingam, a student at The World Schools. “I really want to see their smile when they get the books we send them.”

A visual presentation about Loita Hills Academy at The World Schools by Dylan Mahalingam, Founder of Lil’ MDGs, gave the school kids a clear idea of who will benefit from their collection effort.

“Having the school work on this international project is an excellent option. Seeing the end result of their efforts would help them make that connection,” says Lisa Dias, Principal of The World Schools. “We really want to help our students gain 'global competence' and encourage any project that can help with that.”

Items will be collected through The World Schools in Nashua, NH. Items can also be dropped off at The UPS Store in Crystal Avenue, Derry, NH. Items will be accepted from April 15 to June 28th of 2011.