Education changed the life of maasai girl

09/03/2019

Jenifer Leperes has graduated from the Trust´s Culinary Arts Program. She is now a chef and can support her family

As a young Maasai woman in a remote rural area with only the basic school certificates the future prospects of Jenifer Leperes were limited.

“Already at the age of 15 the community expected me to follow the traditions, get married and start a family”, tells Jenifer.

But Jenifer and her family wanted a different outcome.

“I contacted the Karen Blixen Camp Trust Educational Initiative at Karen Blixen Camp in Mara North Conservancy and I was accepted to join the culinary arts program”, continues Jenifer.

The education completely changed her destiny.

Jenifer became a top student at the culinary arts program and qualified as a chef in July 2018. Jenifer is now a chef at the Royal Mara Camp.

“Getting an education has changed my life”, tells Jenifer. “It has enabled me to get employed and make a living. I can now make my own decisions and plans for the future.”

Jenifer intends to limit her family to include one or two children. This will enable her and her future spouse to take good care of them and give them a good education.

“In the future as a mother I would love to be a role model, notably  to any daughters, and my family to inspire them to get a career”.

Jenifer has an advice for other young Maasai girls who very often drop out of school after the primary level:

“Focus on your education and don´t stop! Follow your dreams, be ambitious, be disciplined, and you will be able to rule your own life. Earn an income and help your family to prosper”, ends Jenifer.

In 2019 the Karen Blixen Camp Trust Educational Initiative has the highest intake of female students ever thanks to role models like Jenifer Leperes.

Read more about the Karen Blixen Camp Trust Educational Initiative and the Culinary Arts Program.

Do you want to change the life of a young maasai girl? A diploma from the Culinary Arts Program costs USD 2,000. Please contact us to hear more about donations and tax redemptions at donation@karenblixencamptrust.com