Far from the city of Nairobi, across the Great Rift Valley, exciting things are happening. We visited our partner organisation Red Tribe to find out more about their school, clinic, bridge and business help.
Story by Hillim Gitonga
“Reaching the Loita Hills from Nairobi by road can take 10 to 12 hours, especially with the long stretch of rough roads through the hills,” said MAF pilot, Joost de Wit.
“But by air, the same journey takes just 30 minutes, turning a difficult trip into quick access for communities living in remote areas.”
Joost is flying to Enairebuk, an airstrip tucked between hills and sitting on a slope. It’s the home base for Red Tribe, a community organisation serving Maasai families on the border of Kenya and Tanzania.
For MAF, flights like these are routine.
For the community, that half hour flight makes a difference.
Over the past sixteen years, Red Tribe’s goal has been to improve education and healthcare, to help people from the community start businesses, or come up with different ideas for business. The team are passionate about healthy, ethical and sustainable development based on the teachings of Jesus.
A small school was started by parents in a church building. What began with 12 children has now grown into a thriving school with more than 300 learners. The school is ranked first in the local division. In a region where access to quality education can be limited, this is no small achievement.
The organisation’s impact goes beyond the classroom. Co-founders Hennie and Rebecca Marais started a beadwork project which has 27 local women employees.
“Income from the beadwork supports staff salaries and school operations, as well as scholarships for students,” said Pelua Siloma, who works as the Engagement Director.
Despite the community having challenges such as early marriages and female genital mutilation, several graduates have returned to serve in their community as nurses and clinical officers. Young women who once had decisions made for them are now saying ‘no’ and shaping their own futures.
The Red Tribe clinic provides basic medical services to the wider community who walk in to receive care.
Seasonal flooding would often make the river impossible to pass – but thanks to the Red Tribe and MAF, a suspension bridge was built, and this has improved access to healthcare.
In serious cases or emergencies, MAF steps in.
“MAF has been a very good partner to Red Tribe and to our community,” added Pelua.
“Just last year, they flew Samuel—who was suffering from throat cancer—to Nairobi for treatment and brought him back home."
We’ve seen how MAF responds when someone in our community has a medical emergency. My message to people everywhere is to partner with MAF, because their work is truly changing lives here
For Red Tribe and the families it serves, partnership has meant access, opportunity, and hope carried on wings.