Osotua Foundation

About us

With Osotua Foundation we aim to support the Maasai, their cattle and wildlife in the (Eastern) Mara region. With themes in the 6 C's Culture, Cattle, Conservation, Care, Capacity and Commerce we have a range of projects who are part of a holistic approach to provide Maasai, Cattle and Nature and Wildlife a sustainable future.

The Maa word Osotua means the "invisible umbilical cord" which unites us all. If we are in need and ask for help, others will come to our aid. Being one of the strongest concepts within the Maa culture, it captures the aim of our foundation very well.

In collaboration with Maasai in the Mara - our partners below - we co-create and implement sustainable livelihood- and land-use management systems by connecting ecology, economy and anthropology, improving the health and lives of Maasai, livestock and ecosystem in an eco-friendly and socially sustainable way.

Projects:
• Olosinko (NCDO) - Healthy Savannah - Healthy Lives: The Olosinko Initiative is our flagship project. The Initiative is a co-creation between Osotua Foundation and the Maasai living in Nkoilale who have been brought together thanks to the efforts of Nelson Kirrokor and his organization, the Nkolaile Community Development Organization (NCDO). With Olosinko we aim to make the savanna healthy again by introducing agriculture-based, ecofriendly and holistic principles combined with the development of a local value chain by setting up social businesses for local hotels and markets.
• Tepesua and Enkiteng Lepa: Enkiteng Lepa is the first private Maasai school in Kenya. Located in Maji Moto, the primary school provides high-quality education for both boys and girls and also serves as a refuge for young girls who have run away from female genital mutilation and forced marriage. At her home, "Tepesua", founder Nametjoi "Hellen" Nkuraiya has a tourist camp, a widow village and a feeder school for the small children who are too young to board. Tepesua is a half-hour drive away from the Enkiteng Lepa school. Thanks to Hellen's endless efforts, the school was named the best primary school in the Narok Distric County in 2018. We at the Ostua Foundation help her to collect donations for her pupils and building projects.
• White Mountain Movement: White Mountain is a coalition of three Dutch organizations: the Osotua Foundation, Embassy of the Earth and the Friends of the Maasai. Together we support Maasai communities in the southern part of Kenya by connecting and activating our networks, articulating the needs of the Maasai, supporting them with knowledge when needed and organizing joint fundraising. We are currently working on two projects to raise awareness and contribute to fundraising for the Maasai and the ecosystem regeneration: We are supporting Michiel de Koning and his fabulous team from Heroes & Friends who are making a Virtual Reality Movie about the Maasai and their story. Together with the talented photographer Marielle de Valk and designer Juan Nibbelink, we are in the process of creating a coffee table book capturing the landscape and lives of the Maasai.
• African Conservation Centre (ACC)

We are going to work together on wildlife conservation and women empowerment!
Dieke Geerling is the Founder and Director of the Osotua Foundation.

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.