Championing Education in the Heart of Maasai land

Livian Mayiani is one of the inspiring voices leading change in her community. A dedicated Maasai community leader and passionate advocate for education, she speaks to a profound shift taking place across Maasailand. For generations, the Maasai relied on cattle herding, but as drought and climate change threaten that way of life, education is becoming the new path forward. In this short video, Livian shares how her community is adapting, embracing learning as a lifeline to resilience and opportunity.

Her words are powerful. Take a moment to listen.

From Student to CHANGE MAKER

Philip Mutaiti’s story is a powerful example of what Build African Schools is all about. Once a student whose path to secondary school was made possible by BAS, Philip is now giving back in a big way. As a volunteer Project Coordinator, he helps manage the construction of our new schools across Kenya—planning timelines, keeping things on track, and making sure every classroom is built to last. Now in his third year at university studying project planning and management, Philip is building both schools and a future shaped by opportunity and purpose. Watch as Philip shares his journey.

BUILDING A SCHOOL

Taken from our earlier projects, this is a simple view outlining the real need and how the dream of a school becomes a reality. We like to call it “The Forty Day Miracle”. Build African Schools enabled the formation of a building co-op based in Nairobi, Kenya. The construction co-op is wholly owned by African trades people.

PARTNERSHIPS

Build African Schools partnered with Serena Williams and a corporate sponsor to build two schools in Kenya. The first project was a secondary school in Makueni County which was completed in 2007. The second secondary school is in the village of Wee. This was completed in 2010 and was covered in a Tennis Channel documentary referenced here.

A Dream in Motion

At just 15 years old, Serena Imani carries a name with a legacy, and a future full of possibility. A student at one of the first schools built by Build African Schools, sponsored by tennis legend Serena Williams in 2008, she speaks with quiet confidence about her daily life, her studies, and the dreams she holds for what lies ahead. Her story is a reminder of how a single investment in education can ripple across generations. Take a moment to hear from Serena, her voice is full of hope, and her journey is just beginning.

NEW POSSIBILITIES

Mattia is 15 years and was born deaf. Access to a new BAS school which was constructed in partnership with Serena Willams opened up a whole world of possibilities for him to further his education.

Champion for Girls’ Education

Celestine Mule teaches at a Maasai school in Oloikarra, where she’s more than an educator, she’s a fierce advocate and role model for young girls. In a region where many girls still face deep barriers to education, Celestine is helping shift that narrative. She believes that education is power, the key to giving girls a voice, a future, and a say in their own lives. With passion and purpose, even in the toughest circumstances, she’s opening doors to possibility. Watch as Celestine shares why she believes every girl deserves the chance to rise.

THE POWER OF EDUCATION

Our very first project was the extension of a primary school in Oloolaimutia, near the Maasai Mara game reserve in Kenya. A remote location with limited access to electric power. The extension of the school increased the attendance capacity of students. With the installation of solar power, the ability to use the school in darker winter evenings presented a whole new set of possibilities. Here we see the students learning about the basics of how solar power works.