Ereto Primary School - The Sustainable Voice Podcast

In 2013, the headmaster started approaching surrounding Maasai communities in Ntulelei, Tanzania asking parents to allow their children to attend school. In this area, children have no access to any local government-run schools, nor do they have the means to travel to any outside of their villages.

The Maasai people of the area are primarily farmers, and their children start at a young age learning how to manage the farm and daily duties. The responsibility these kids take on at an early age leaves little or no time for schooling. These farms are how they put food on the table and a roof over their heads. Out of the 300 surrounding communities, China was successful in bringing 20 kids together, starting on a literal patch of dirt, the Ereto primary school’s story begins.

Over the past five-plus years, Big Five’s nonprofit, the Spirit of Big Five Foundation, along with partnered contributors helped make this dream a reality.

First, it provided the concrete for the foundation and walls, then followed the desks and a blackboard, a long-awaited roof, and much-needed windows and doors, most recently metal shelves to prevent termites from eating the books. Along with the large construction-related donations, there were also books, supplies, shoes, and much more for the kids and teachers.

Today, more than 215 kids are working hard towards their education in much improved conditions.

The headmaster is currently working to build a teacher’s dormitory as the teachers must travel up to 18 miles, on the back of a truck for the first 11 miles, if they catch one, then by foot, uphill, through the mud for the remainder.

The dormitory will include two rooms and a kitchen, with room to expand. The goal is for the teachers to be able to make the transit less often, staying the night when needed.

With teachers refreshed and well-rested, kids eager and excited to learn, the school will continue to bloom with an expected 300 students by 2022. For more information, visit their website by clicking here.