As we gallop towards the end of summer, What has GCF East Africa been up to?

Another incredible start to 2025, and we have undertaken some great projects with help from funds you have generously donated whilst out and about on your travels. Thank you from all of us for giving back to the world you travel through. As of 7th Aug 2025 we have funded 260,200$ in a variety of projects across Tanzania and Kenya.

GCF continues to fund a monthly outreach program in Amboseli. Clinic nurses, a Dr. and nutrition and welfare officers travel way out to the middle of nowhere, bringing vital healthcare to hundreds of Maasai, who would never be able to access medical aid. It’s also an incredible opportunity for one of our sponsored students, Jackline to gain valuable hands on experience.

Many of our OAT travellers have funded new uniforms for a whole class, or orphans and from the smile on their faces, they appreciate this random act of kindness.

Both Olmoti Primary and Lemong’o Primary received mobile science labs so they can carry out science experiments. Olmoti, Endoro, Changarawe and Njia Panda all received new school desks AND we renovated over 300.

 

Numerous renovation projects have taken place across all our schools including 12 classrooms and 4 kitchens.

Our scholarship program has over 38 students on various schemes. We are so proud to have 6 in university. Words will never truly depict the impact you have when you sponsor a student but I met 2 randomly on this last trip to Amboseli and this is their update:

Toilan had an incredible sponsor who is still in touch. From a student who had nothing, through the scholarship program, Toilan achieved good grades, and with his pocket money which he saved over the 4 years, put himself through computer courses. His sponsor gifted him a laptop. I met him at 6.30am on his way to work as a bank clerk in Equity Bank. Next, at the Amboseli Park gates, I stopped to greet the Maasai ladies and catch up on their news. One mum said…Kelvin is here. I haven’t seen Kelvin since he finished his Form 4 studies in 2018. So Kelvins update is after college he joined Kenya Wildlife Services and now works full time as a park ranger in Amboseli. His friend, also known as Kelvin followed the same path and works in Nakuru as a ranger in private conservancy. This is the impact OAT travellers have and from all of us at Grand Circle Foundation, THANK YOU.

JACOB . Many of you may have seen the news where tragically a medical aircraft (AMREF) crashed in Nairobi on 7th Aug (Thursday) and there were fatalities. Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends who lost loved ones. Sadly, our Sponsored Student Jacob lost his home in this incident. The plane literally fell out of the sky into his house block where he lives. Thankfully, Jacob was in university taken exams. But when he went home, he was bewildered to discover he lost everything he possesses except the shirt on his back. We are helping Jacob with whatever he requests. He is safe, lucky to be alive and has found alternative accommodation.

So, what’s next? As the saying goes, “Dream Big or Go Home” …. We are literally dreaming big if funds allow.

In all of our schools, we have nice toilets, power and so next is water and we hope to drill water at 5 of our schools in Karatu. Drilling will cost approx. 15,000$ and then to get water to places like the washrooms, teachers’ accommodation, kitchen and the garden, an approximate cost will be 10,000$ including holding tanks.

The Lewis Secondary School still needs science equipment, 2 more classrooms and a boys dormitory. Olmoti Primary still needs 2 classrooms.

And let’s keep dreaming. Technology at each school (10 in total)!!! A guide total would be about 20,000$ for 25 laptops x 10 schools. Computers are essential in schools because they provide access to a vast amount of information through the internet, enabling students to conduct research and enhance their learning experiences. They also facilitate interactive learning through educational software and online platforms, offer opportunities for multimedia projects, and support collaborative learning and communication. Anything we do these days involves technology.

WATCH THIS SPACE: GCF has partnered with an incredible organisation called Sango-Kenya to implement a sustainable agriculture and nutrition training program for woman in Amboseli for the next 3 years. Training starts today, 11th Aug. We hope our partnership will finally bring food security to the region, the know how on how to grow 4 superfoods AND basic entrepreneurship skills. Ultimately to be able to live off the land will promote financial stability, tackle malnutrition, and enable a community to be self-sufficient. We are looking at a 15,000$ investment over the first year.

So, it may be Aug, but rest assured none of us at the Foundation are resting. We appreciate all of you. Thank you so much for traveling with OAT and thank you for all you do via GCF.

Keep travelling. Stay safe, Stay in touch,

Sandra

GCF Project Manager, East Africa