Youth: Koiyaki Guiding School
Koiyaki Guiding School’s mission is to enhance the employment prospects of young Maasai in a time when traditional ways of living are being eroded by land scarcity, climate change and modern development.
As part of our commitment to strengthening local capacity, Basecamp has partnered closely with the Koiyaki Guiding School (KGS) for many years. KGS’s mission is to enhance the employment prospects of young Maasai in a time where traditional ways of living are being eroded.
KGS offers a 18-month training course for students aspiring to sit the Kenyan National Guide Certificate Exam. Besides training future guides in nature management and guest relations, KGS also offers courses in driving, mechanics, foreign languages and IT skills. Since it opened in 2005 more than 170 students have graduated from KGS, a considerable proportion of whom have been women. Each class has approximately 30 students, of which 1/3 tend to be women. The school thereby sets an important precedent for gender equality in higher education.
Students are dependent on outside funding to attend KGS. The total tuition and accommodation cost for the 18-month program is 2300 USD per student. Every year Basecamp sponsors two students, as well as assisting the school in fundraising for additional scholarships. Furthermore, every year Basecamp offers work experience placement for a number of students, forming an important part of their training.
Signaling our close commitment to the school, at present three of Basecamp’s six Driver Guides are former KGS students. They include Agnes, one of the first Maasai women to become a Driver Guide in the Mara.
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