Tawang'a Education

Our Story

In 2018, Sonya Maechler-Dent, founder of TANDEM IMS, returned from visiting schools in Africa with a vision. She recognised an opportunity not just for aid, but for genuine partnership and a chance for meaningful engagement that could create sustainable development while enriching our own community.

Together with TANDEM IMS colleagues Deborah Schlatter and Elena Majer, as well as devoted school parents Angelica Dünner and Barbara Bass, Sonya brought a long-held dream to life. They founded TEACH (Tandem Education in Africa - CH), later renamed Tawang'a Education - meaning "to shine" in the Maa language of the Maasai people.

What began as an idea has grown into a transformative partnership that has touched hundreds of lives across two continents.

Our Journey

The Eiti Makurian Primary School Community

The school is located in a small Maasai community, four hours southeast of Nairobi. The Maasai people live in bomas - traditional mud-hut villages - facing challenges like polygamy, early marriage, lack of water and electricity, and widespread illiteracy. Only one parent in the nearest village can read and write.

Yet this community is remarkably resilient and motivated. They recognise education as the key to a sustainable future. Parents are so deeply committed to their children’s education that many are willing to take on additional responsibilities even beyond traditional gender roles to ensure their children can attend school. Recently, we have seen boys washing their younger siblings or the family’s clothes as well as men helping to fetch water. These are powerful examples of dedication, care, and change in action. Overall our engagement has also resulted in improved infrastructure, an increase in educational materials, the end to FGM and significant advancements in children's academic skills and attendance.

Sponsorships

We also support selected young pupils to continue their education into senior secondary school. In 2026 we started a new system of self-help groups, supporting families instead of only individual children, encouraging parents to find ways to financially plan and support their children long-term.

Since this project began with the expansion of learning materials and infrastructure, we have seen a significant improvement in children’s literacy skills. Children now completing Junior High School are increasingly reaching levels comparable to their urban-educated peers. Ongoing challenges remain in digital literacy and the sciences, largely due to the absence of technology and a dedicated laboratory classroom. We therefore aim to continue supporting these children, with individual or family sponsorships, as they progress into senior secondary education and vocational training, enabling them to develop additional trades and skills that will directly benefit their communities.

Community Impact

From 80 to now 360 pupils, with dramatically improved attendance as families see the tangible benefits of education!

Learning Goes Both Ways

This partnership has transformed our TANDEM IMS community as much as it has supported education in Eiti. Our pupils, teachers, and parents have developed deeper empathy, cross-cultural competence, and understanding of global interconnection.

We've learned to work collaboratively toward shared goals, take leadership on projects, and develop creativity when faced with limited resources. These lessons have enriched our school culture and broadened the horizons of everyone involved.

The Maasai in Eiti are a marginalised community who received no support before our partnership began. They remain remarkably hopeful and optimistic that education is their key to sustainable life. This journey has been - and continues to be - extremely rewarding for both Tawang'a and Tandem IMS.

The Work Continues

Challenges remain. Recruiting and retaining teachers in this remote location is difficult. Water scarcity continues to affect regular attendance. Infrastructure needs are ongoing. But with sustained commitment and community partnership, we're addressing these obstacles systematically.

Every contribution makes a tangible difference. All board members and volunteers work without compensation, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to programmes supporting these children's futures.