Update: Welcome to all the parents of Kew Green Preparatory School, Kasper (5G) is giving an assembly where the children will learn more about Maasai tribal lifestyle and what it's like to be a child in growing up in Tanzania. In addition, the KGPS students will get the opportunity to ask some questions to the children in Tanzania, to further help their understanding of this amazing culture.

Thanks in advance for the support!

Hello all,

If we haven't met already my name is Richard Kondal, I run a film production company called “Big Safari”. On a recent trip to Tanzania I met a truly inspiring person, his name is Kipe and he has dream and hope for his community: to build a school and give vulnerable children in his remote village opportunity for an education and a bright future. Kipe was the first person to go school in his village, his education has allowed him to start a safari business, he now donates a portion of the profits to fund the education of other children in the village. I believe together we can all make Kipe's dream a reality and raise the money needed to build the school for the children of Oltukai Village.

At the moment, the school consists of one classroom that resides in a mud hut with straw roofing built by the community. Although the students and teachers make the best of it, we all are fully aware there are much better ways to learn and experience childhood than this. Recently during a storm the roof was blown off - this is not an uncommon occurrence. Likewise during the rainy season the students and teachers must work in damp, muddy spaces and cater to a leaking roof. This is no way to learn. I was so moved by what I saw - by Kipe's grit and determination that I had to get involved because I knew there is a way we can make a difference if we all work together.

This school will not only educate but uplift an entire community—and we need your support to make it happen. This Holiday season my company Big Safari and I are joining forces with Kipe to bring his transformative dream to life and we would love you to join us!

Kipe’s Story: From Herding Cattle to Building a Brighter Future

For Kipelian Olesisian—known as Kipe—the path to education was anything but easy. Growing up in the Maasai village of Oltukai, he was expected to forgo school to help his family herd cattle, as education was often seen as a threat to traditional values. Yet Kipe dreamed of becoming an engineer and, even as friends dropped out due to lack of school fees, he held onto that hope. His life took a transformative turn when he received the support of a sponsor who allowed him to complete his education, ultimately leading him to a career as a guide and conservationist. But the pain of seeing his friends left behind stayed with him, igniting a mission to give back to his community.

In 2020, Kipe founded the Oltukai Community Development Organization (OCDO) to support underprivileged and orphaned children, beginning by teaching them under a tree and eventually, with community support, building a small classroom. Yet he realized that temporary support wasn't enough—these children needed a permanent school to nurture their dreams. Now, Kipe is committed to building a primary school that will serve generations, blending traditional Maasai teachings with government-approved education. This school will be a sanctuary where Maasai children can grow academically while preserving their culture—a promise of hope and opportunity that Kipe once needed and now offers to his community in the hope of ending the cycle of poverty.

Why This School Will Change Lives

In Oltukai, there’s a pressing need for quality education that respects both academic and cultural learning. Kipe’s vision for this school is to create a space where children can excel in their studies while staying connected to the Maasai heritage. Twice a week, elders will teach children the Maasai traditions and stories, a legacy that can only be kept alive if passed to the next generation.

This school will serve as a beacon of hope and resilience, an enduring promise to the children of Oltukai that their future will be different. And it won’t just be a short-term solution—this school will stand for years to come, nurturing young minds and bridging the gap between traditional values and new opportunities.

This is Where You Come In

Without support, this dream will remain out of reach for Oltukai’s children. By helping us build this school, you’re not just making a donation—you’re changing lives and creating a legacy. Each classroom we build will mean children can sit at real desks instead of stones, will have access to books and resources, and can receive an education that respects their past and shapes their future.

Your Gift to Future Generations

Your contribution is powerful. With your support, we can:

1. Build infrastructure to support seven primary school classes by 2026, creating a stable, secure place for children to learn and grow.

2. Establish a curriculum that prepares them for a brighter future while preserving Maasai traditions through weekly cultural teachings.

3. Give these under-privileged, orphaned and/or vulnerable children the chance to escape poverty, lifting an entire community by empowering the next generation.

Together, we can transform dreams into a lasting legacy for the children of Oltukai Village. Let’s stand with Kipe to build this school, a beacon of hope and empowerment for Tanzania’s future. With your help, we can create a world where these children can dream, learn, and lead their community forward.

Are you or your company interested in making an even bigger impact?

We offer meaningful corporate sponsorship opportunities tailored to showcase your support and make a lasting difference for the children of Oltukai. Reach out to us to discuss how your organization can partner with us in bringing this dream school to life.

Thank you for helping us make this dream a reality. Every donation and every act of support brings us one step closer to a future where no child in Oltukai has to sacrifice their education or heritage.

With Kindness and Hope,

Richard Kondal, Kasper Kondal, Eva Kondal, Dasha Sherman, Anna Ficher, Patrick Fischer, Tianna Roberts and Kipe Olesisian