From Child Bride to College Grad: An Update on Flora, a Maasai Student

By Barbara Sirigos, Director, Grand Circle Foundation

Longtime Inside Scoop readers may be familiar with Flora Ntaine—a young Maasai woman from Kenya with an inspiring success story.

We first met Flora in October of 2013, when she was only 11 years old. Sandra Vaughan, Grand Circle Foundation’s Project Manager in East Africa, happened upon the child crying at the village cattle market. Sandra learned that Flora was being "sold" into early marriage by her father, after her mother unexpectedly passed away. Though childhood marriage is illegal in Kenya, the practice continues in the more rural areas.

Flora in 2015, while still a student at Amboseli Primary School.

Sandra quickly went into action, alerting the police, village chairman, and Maasai chief. Flora’s father and soon-to-be "husband" were both arrested and jailed for several months.

Flora was moved to a girls’ boarding school far away and lived with a woman who looked after her. Having never lived anywhere but her boma before, she was excited at the new opportunity offered by the schooling. However, the new living situation proved to be too emotionally challenging for her. Taking a chance, Sandra moved her closer and placed her at the Grand Circle Foundation-sponsored Amboseli Primary School where she was taken under the protection of its then Head Mistress, Ann.

The once-little girl is now grown up.

Flora soon found her way and flourished. She resolved to take every opportunity offered her and make her education count. She was voted head girl of her class annually and if not the number one student, she was almost always at the top of her class, year after year.

We were so proud when Flora was accepted into the top Hospitality Management school in Nairobi, Kenya, with a concentration in Food & Beverage Services. A Foundation donor generously funded her full two years of university schooling.

Earlier this year, Flora successfully completed her studies—and will officially graduate in October. She is currently working part-time jobs while she waits for her school results, at which point she can apply for permanent work.

Flora, at work and in uniform.

In a note to the couple who funded her studies, Flora shared her gratitude:

"I am very grateful for your support. I am quite sure that if it were not for your support, I could not be where I am today or living the life I am living…. You are really playing a big role in my life. I really appreciate your support, gifts, and everything. Thank you so much. Be blessed."

Today, Flora could be illegally married to a man more than 50 years her senior. Instead, she has overcome every challenge set in her path to embark on the career of her dreams. This is the true power of giving back to the world we travel—and it would not be possible without the support of our travelers and donors.

It started with someone who cared … but Flora did the rest.

See the impact of education firsthand when you meet with students at a local primary school during our Kenya & Tanzania Safari: Masai Mara to the Serengeti adventure.