THE Thomson Trust is playing a key role in providing educational opportunities for the Maasai community in Kenya’s Rift Valley.
We are supporting the Together With Keyna Campus, which opened earlier this year.
The project includes a primary school, junior secondary and a community learning centre, with plans being drawn-up to add a small technical college further down the line.
The rural campus overlooking the Ngong hills serves a disadvantaged Maasai community where access to educational opportunities and community resources has been sorely limited.
The Trust has distributed more than £2 million since being formed in 1973 by former Perth Lord Provost David Thomson and his nephew Michael.
Hundreds of organisations and individuals in Perth and Kinross have been beneficiaries of investment income from the trust established with shares in the family whisky, wine and spirits distributor, which was bought by Sir Reo Stakis in 1982.
Now we have broadened our horizons to provide the Kenyan project with a £65,000 grant.
Retired head teacher and TWK vice-chair and educational lead Margaret Thomson, who lives near Perth, explained: “I participated in several African charity projects, in Namibia, Uganda and Rwanda, during my teaching career and on retiral I was keen to maintain that connection.
“I have been involved with the Kenyan project for eight years. Initially it was just a small but excellent primary school but thanks to the Thomson Trust’s generous support it has become an integral part of the wider community.
“We felt it was important to create a pathway beyond primary education for the Maasai children and my son Keir designed a community consultation during a visit.
“They wanted an opportunity for everyone to learn, regardless of their age, along with non-academic skills appropriate for a traditional, rural community.
“The Thomson Trust investment in the TWK Community Learning Centre ensures a long-term impact and it is already creating opportunities for individuals and families who may otherwise remain excluded from education and support services.
“It has caused quite a stir and it is already more than a building – it is developing into a valuable community hub for learning, inclusion, digital access and social connection.
“The centre has quickly become an important community resource.
“Its core purpose is to provide access to learning resources and opportunities for individuals who may have missed out on formal education, as well as former primary pupils seeking to continue or rebuild their learning journey.
“The facilities include a large community hall, several meeting and training rooms, and a dedicated computer hub. These spaces are now being actively used for a range of educational and community-focused activities.
“Of the 15 who signed up for the first computer course, with free internet access, nine were women. The Maasai culture is evolving and most parents are keen to see their children educated.
“The Rift Valley has been heavily impacted by climate change, where the nomadic, pastoral farming Maasai are reliant on boreholes for their goats and cattle. That way of life is becoming increasingly unsustainable.
“The campus has been welcomed as a safe and accessible venue where people can gather, share concerns, and seek practical support.
“Looking to the future, there are plans to develop literacy and numeracy courses, business skills training and dedicated support space for families with children who have special needs. “
Margaret is returning to Kenya next month, with the “mammoth task” of supporting special needs children, in a culture where, historically, they have been shunned, or abandoned at birth.
“It has become a passion project for me. The challenge now is to change attitudes and remove the stigma, shame, and invisibility surrounding disability and children with additional support needs,” she explained.
“The community learning centre will be playing a lead role in promoting a more inclusive mindset where all children and families feel recognised, supported and valued.”