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Most Dangerous Ways To School | KENYA | Free Documentary
For centuries now, the Dorn Savanna has been the lifeline for the Massai people. Until today, they refuse to get involved in the constant upheavals in Kenya and instead continue to cultivate their traditions. The Massai have lived in the border region between Tanzania and Kenya for hundreds of years; almost completely removed from all civilization. In some ways their remoteness has spared them from many ordeals. But on the other hand, this autarkical life can be problematic, especially when it comes to the education of their children.
This is also the case in the Massai village Kasiole. 12 families live in the village. Each hut has two rooms and in each one there lives a family with at least 5 children. Here, there is no space for a school, and needless to say, there are also no teachers. Therefore the children from Kasiole must walk for hours each morning to get to school. Most of the children stay at home and tend the cattle. Many parents are afraid to send their children off on the 10 kilometers long way to school right trough the savanna.
4am. Before going off to school the nightwatch is the task at hand. 8 year old Moseka guards the family's cows and goats. Sometime wild animals sneak into the village at night – a threat to everyone.
When dawn sets in at around 6, the Maasai village Kasiole comes to life. Moseka's nightwatch ends – and his way to school begins.
Students like Moseka from all across the region are setting off this morning on their way to the only school far and wide. Moseka`´s mother worries. In the last few days elefants often visited the area – the Massai consider them to be one of the most dangerous species in wilderness. His mother warns him once again about the possible dangers along the way.
The first kilometres take the children through the burning hot savanna, and this without any water. The family does not have the means to afford a drinking bottle. Their route takes them pass amazing landscapes, and also different Massai villages, some of them already deserted and some just newly built. Through their way of life, it makes no sense for the Massai to build large houses. They will only live 2 to 3 years in them and are built traditionally with walls made from cow manure and straw covered roofs. Only a few children join them from the other villiages, although in Kenya schooling is mandatory, but not enforced by anyone.
The way to school lead Moseka and his friend through the leopards valley – infamous for roaming predators. The Kenyan savanna is a huge open air zoo with an incredible diversity of species. Seen from the perspective of parents who send their children to school every day, it is an unfenced zoo, though. An open space whre the natural law of eat or be eaten is part of every day life. It takes a bit of courage to go to school here.
The students destination: The Ntuka Primary School. The only school within a radius of about 20 kilometers. Often they are too late, but the teacher understands, he is aware of the long school route.
Published Sep 4, 2015
