Learning Together: Bringing Maasai core values into British schools Gemma Burford Co-Founder & International Liaison, Noonkodin Secondary School

Emaiyan – Blessing (A sense of sacredness) Maasai remember Engai the Creator every day Maasai remember Engai the Creator every day Women make offerings of milk Women make offerings of milk All meetings start with communal prayer All meetings start with communal prayer Important meetings held under a sacred tree, the oreteti Important meetings held under a sacred tree, the oreteti Pilgrimages to Ol Doinyo L’Engai, the ‘Mountain of God’ Pilgrimages to Ol Doinyo L’Engai, the ‘Mountain of God’ All communities have a spiritual leader, the oloiboni All communities have a spiritual leader, the oloiboni

Enaboishu – Oneness (We ARE one family!) Young men aren’t allowed to eat meat, drink milk or even take a bath alone! Young men aren’t allowed to eat meat, drink milk or even take a bath alone! Elders & children are treasured Elders & children are treasured Children eat wherever they’re hungry and sleep wherever they’re tired Children eat wherever they’re hungry and sleep wherever they’re tired Everyone contributes to community festivals Everyone contributes to community festivals Everyone works together in building new houses, searching for lost cattle and growing food Everyone works together in building new houses, searching for lost cattle and growing food

Eserian – Harmony (A place of peace) Peace means a good relationship between people, livestock and wild animals Peace means a good relationship between people, livestock and wild animals Maasai live alongside wild animals, and kill them only when they are a direct threat Maasai live alongside wild animals, and kill them only when they are a direct threat Human beings are not separate from `the environment’, but part of it Human beings are not separate from `the environment’, but part of it Forest retreat site ( orpul ) is a place to restore your `warrior spirit’ and health Forest retreat site ( orpul ) is a place to restore your `warrior spirit’ and health

Emorata – Initiation (Taking responsibility) Clear line between childhood and adulthood Clear line between childhood and adulthood Facing challenges and proving yourself to your elders Facing challenges and proving yourself to your elders ‘Washed clean’: new clothes, new greetings, new roles and responsibilities ‘Washed clean’: new clothes, new greetings, new roles and responsibilities Everyone around you recognises you as an adult Everyone around you recognises you as an adult Learning secrets of married life Learning secrets of married life A commitment to serve society A commitment to serve society

Modified Rites of Passage Traditionally, girls undergo female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/FGC) between the ages of 12 and 18 Traditionally, girls undergo female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/FGC) between the ages of 12 and 18 This can cause serious health problems and even death This can cause serious health problems and even death Our organization has helped to mobilise grassroots activists in a campaign to modify the female initiation ceremony Our organization has helped to mobilise grassroots activists in a campaign to modify the female initiation ceremony This involved eight villages This involved eight villages Now girls can be initiated without being cut Now girls can be initiated without being cut

Osingolio – Song (Passing on the tradition) An oral, not a written, tradition An oral, not a written, tradition Songs and stories are the community’s `libraries’ Songs and stories are the community’s `libraries’ Elders tell stories to children around the fire Elders tell stories to children around the fire Stories of ancient heroes are used to teach values and moral behaviour Stories of ancient heroes are used to teach values and moral behaviour Dance is used to express affection and strengthen community bonds Dance is used to express affection and strengthen community bonds

Challenges Broadening the concept of ‘unity’ beyond the tribe, to the nation and the whole world Broadening the concept of ‘unity’ beyond the tribe, to the nation and the whole world Protecting land and cattle Protecting land and cattle Impact of climate change on agriculture Impact of climate change on agriculture Getting enough clean water Getting enough clean water Balancing traditional and modern education Balancing traditional and modern education Cash economy and rural-urban migration Cash economy and rural-urban migration

Noonkodin Secondary School

If it’s not brick, it’s not a classroom

P.S. If you don’t wear uniform, you’re not a secondary school pupil!

2005: A Secondary School is born

2006: 30 ‘refugees’ from FGM and forced marriage

Temporary housing was needed…fast

2007: The struggle for a permanent dorm

2008: A proud graduate and his family

School Partnerships emerge

What makes Noonkodin unique? Focus on values and sustainable development Focus on values and sustainable development Unity in Diversity Project: Unity in Diversity Project: -Students learn from elders about local culture -Generation gaps are bridged -Traditions are documented and preserved -Stereotypes are broken down -Research into medicinal plants provides potential for income-generating activities

Priority needs New water harvesting tank (£2,000) New water harvesting tank (£2,000) An emergency vehicle to get students and staff to hospital quickly if they become acutely ill or are seriously injured (£7,000) An emergency vehicle to get students and staff to hospital quickly if they become acutely ill or are seriously injured (£7,000) Completing the second wing of the girls’ dormitory (£6,500) Completing the second wing of the girls’ dormitory (£6,500) Staff training and professional development Staff training and professional development Scholarships for 20 low-income students Scholarships for 20 low-income students

What can £90 do? Sponsor a day student for nine months Sponsor a day student for nine monthsOR Buy a metal-framed bunk bed for the dorm, together with two mattresses Buy a metal-framed bunk bed for the dorm, together with two mattressesOR Buy 60 text books and 60 pens Buy 60 text books and 60 pensOR Cultivate an acre of land to produce organic maize and beans Cultivate an acre of land to produce organic maize and beans

Thanks for listening!