2025

In February 2025 the first pupils commenced at St Thomas Primary School Maasai Engaruka. Two Maasai teachers (Nemama and Charles) oversee two classrooms of 30 pupils each. There are equal numbers of boys and girls.

This Diocesan-run school provides quality education with Christian values, incorporating the teaching of God’s word. It is a positive witness to parents who are not believers. It allows children to complete their education and open pathways to become professionals in different fields.

Beginnings

In 2019, the local Maasai gifted 25 acres of land to the Diocese of Mt Kilimanjaro for a school. The land was fenced and a school Masterplan was developed. The School would be known as St Thomas Primary School. The Katoke Trust, a well-established charitable organisation in Australia that has previously built and supports a Secondary School in Western Tanzania, agreed to fundraise for the Engaruka school and form a Subcommittee to oversee activities.

After delays during the pandemic, the first building was completed in 2023: a guesthouse with 3 bunkrooms, a master bedroom, and communal living area. The plan is to host visiting school groups to provide maintenance, assist in the classrooms and learn about Maasai culture. Following the guest house, three double classroom blocks were completed.