This trip report  of our fantastic trip to Northern Serengeti (Lamai  Wedge) near the Mara river  in August 2013 is long overdue. I want to start with the most important part of our entire trip being the visit to the local school.  Asila Africa's Olakira's new Lamai camp had only  opened in July 2013. We were the first visitors to the local village school and some children had not even seen a car before. 

The school is in a bad condition and needs urgent renovation.  We had brought some footballs, pens & pencils from home but as the kids had no writing books the pencils were of not much use. We therefore also bought Tanzanian school system writing books in the local village store for all the 200+ children. It is only a small cost for us but it makes a big difference to these children. 

We received a very warm welcome from the teachers and the children  My own children have travelled widely overland through various African countries and they have a pretty good understanding about how difficult the life is for children in many parts of Africa but still this experience was also a true eye opener for them.

Any profits I am making on the sale of my African portraits are already used to support two families in Ethiopia (through the Belgian charity www.finado.be ) and also a child in Zambia  through (www.projectluangwa.org)

However I want to continue to find ways to support this Tanzanian school. I am working on a wildlife photo book where I will compile a selection of my best images. 100% of the profits of such book will be going to support the school.  Please check my website for updates on the status of this project.

 

If you go on safari to Northern Serengeti please ask the Richard John, the Olakira Lamai camp manager how you can support the school. If you travel to anywhere in Africa think about packing something extra to help such as English(French depending on the country) school books, footballs, solar powered flash lights.

More of the images from this visit can be seen in this gallery  http://www.withinafrica.com/p1045749821