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Meet the Board
Meet the Board
MARA CONSERVATION
encouraging empathy for other life
MLP Team in Morocco
Advisors in Morocco
THE MANYATTA PROJECT
The Manyatta Project began as an experiment: What if we built a children's library inside a traditional Maasai village, where the homes are made of earth and have no power or light? A place for the youngest ones, to start them early. Would anyone come?
Ololchura Village
In 2022, we began our pilot in the manyatta of Ololchura, near Sekenani, establishing the first children's library inside one of these traditional villages. With the blessing of the elders, we constructed it simply out of green iron sheets with concrete floor and curtains made from Maasai shukas (shawls). A plug-and-play solar on top provides power for lighting, making this the only lit structure in its village. Our question "Would anyone come?" was quickly answered, as the Manyatta Library was wildly popular from the start and became a community learning hub.
What we witnessed on our surprise visit the 3rd night after opening
Today, this little library is full of children day and evening. It seems like a miracle. And like all good libraries, it has become a community hub, with preschool lessons (another first) and with elders using it to manage village affairs, share indigenous knowledge, and hold storytelling nights. Since its opening, we've added a community water filter and, at the elder's request, are hoping to expand the center in 2025 with rainwater harvesting and more space for community gatherings.
Ol Chorro Village
We launched a second Manyatta Library in 2024 in the village near the Ol Chorro White Rhino Sanctuary in Mara North. This one is round, in a local style, and it has become as popular as the first one. Some of the residents in this village work at the sanctuary protecting the lives of endangered animals. This video gives a glimpse of both libraries (with our thanks to Sahya Haria and Hitesh Mehta).
