About Us
About Us
Founded in 2016, the Maasai Education Foundation (MEF) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 81-4330519) dedicated to empowering Maasai communities in Tanzania through education.
MEF supports:
- Educational Opportunities: Facilitating education for Maasai youth in the Arusha region.
- English Proficiency: Promoting English language mastery for both children and adults.
- Cultural Exchange: Creating educational exchange programs between Tanzania and the United States.
- Protecting young Maasai girls from female genital mutilation (FGM) and early childhood marriage to older men.
MEF operates with a volunteer-only team, with 99% of all donations directly funding its programs.
MEF Bylaws, Policies and Tax Returns
The Maasai Education Foundation
Our principal focus is supporting the Engaruka English Medium Primary School (EEMPS), operated by the Engaruka Community Initiative Organization (ENCO).
School Operations
EEMPS now serves 334 students (2025). MEF funds half of the school’s operating budget and has funded most of its construction.
Charity Students
Over 68% of EEMPS students are from low-income families, with tuition partially or fully covered by MEF, MES and other organizations.
National Success
EEMPS ranks in the top 10% on national exams, attracting more families able to pay full tuition, which aids sustainability.
One school. One vision.
One impact felt around the world.
In 2016, Martha Mereso Sengeruan founded the Engaruka Community Initiative Organization (ENCO), a nonprofit bringing education, health, and economic empowerment programs to remote Tanzanian communities.
Soon after, she established the vision for the Engaruka English Medium Primary School – preschool to grade 7 —
in the village of Engaruka, Monduli, Arusha, Tanzania.
Martha imagined an English medium boarding school where at-risk Maasai children could prosper. More than 95% of the students live at the school. Most of their families cannot afford the modest tuition and fees.
She wanted to focus on English so students would be better prepared for secondary school entrance exams and secondary school itself. Tanzania’s education system mirrors the British model, and after primary school all education is in English.
Help from the most unlikely of places
In 2016, a group of American tourists on safari met a young girl named Maria from Engaresero (Lake Natron). The Americans decided to become her educational sponsor. They attempted to find someone to help Maria, but they were unsuccessful until Martha learned of their efforts and volunteered to help. Two members of the safari group quickly returned to Tanzania and met with Martha.
The Americans were sold on Martha’s quest to improve the lives of young girls like Maria. When they returned to the United States, they sold other members of the earlier safari on this vision. Together, they collectively established the Maasai Education Foundation, a USA charity, to help Martha realize her dream for an English medium primary school.
In May 2017, with support from the TX Foundation of Taiwan (providing a $70,000 grant) and the Maasai Education Foundation
(providing architectural plans) construction began on a two-classroom building with three staff rooms, and eight restrooms. Construction was assisted by the Virginia Tech Service Without Borders student group, along with many local volunteers.
Construction was completed, and the school was inaugurated on September 2, 2017. In January 2018, the school enrolled 48 Maasai pre-school children, supported by a team of nine staff members.
Martha and ENCO have recently expanded their vision and are now starting a secondary school for graduates of EEMPS. Construction started in 2024 with secondary school classes beginning in early 2025. Every year, an additional educational level will be added.
More to Discover About the Foundation
MEF Bylaws, Policies and Tax ReturnsMEF operates with a volunteer-only team, with 99% of all donations directly funding its programs.
