Help Maree Bring Hope to Kenya's Young Learners
Every Child Deserves a Chance to Learn. Together, we can give these children the tools they need to achieve their dreams.
Canterbury
In September 2025, Maree Hanrahan will travel to rural Kenya's Masai Mara to volunteer in humanitarian work as a supporting teacher for four weeks. She'll be working with classes of 50-75 children aged 4-15, helping them access the education that could change their lives forever.
This isn't just a trip for Maree – it's the fulfilment of a 28-year dream. Since visiting East Africa in 1997 and earlier in 1992, she knew she would return to help Kenya's children reach their potential. Now, with her Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification in hand, she's ready to make that dream a reality.
The Challenge
While Kenya introduced free primary education in 2003, demand has far outstripped resources. Children crowd into classrooms without basic supplies like exercise books, novels, or even school uniforms. In the remote area where Maree will volunteer, there's no electricity, no clean water, and limited infrastructure.
Why This Matters
Education is the pathway out of poverty. Maree grew up in rural mid-Canterbury, so she understands the unique challenges of remote communities. She's not just bringing resources – she's bringing understanding, compassion, and a genuine commitment to making a difference.
Join Maree's Mission
Every dollar counts. Whether you can give $5 or $50, you're helping to transform lives and build a brighter future for Kenya's young learners.
Use of funds
Your donation will go directly to the school and students – not toward Maree's travel costs. Once there, Maree will work with local teams to identify the most urgent needs. This could be:
Exercise books (NZ0.35 cents each)
School uniforms (NZ$10 each)
Latest update
Thank you from Igarooj Primary School and myself 16 October 2025
Thank you to each and everyone of you who kindly donated to the school. After some negotiation, preparation, planning, building and transporting during the first three weeks of September, 20 desks and 3 storage cupboards were built for the school. With thanks to support from IVHQ, Carpenter Chris in Nairboi undertook on a tight deadline to build furniture for the school so we could make an impact with your donations for both this generation and generations to come. 60 students now have solid secure desks to sit at and complete their work, as well as being able to lock their exercise books away each evening so they no longer have to carry them to/from school each day. At the beginning of each class, the class prefect would collect the subject text books from “the office” and return to then hand these out for the lesson. This would take up the first 5 minutes of a 35 minute class. With 6-8 classes a day for 9 grades, this equates to 4.5 hours of lost teaching time a day. The books would often be broken as a result of being moved around the school so frequently. Having cupboards in 3 classrooms now means we are giving back 7.5 hours of teaching each week as well as maintaining the quality of the text books. The school community of parents, the Board Chair and Board Members were all present on the day the furniture was delivered. This was an enormous event for everyone and they all pass on their blessings to each of you for your generosity.
Latest donations
Thank you Tracy! Really appreciate the donation for the school and school community. I look forward to sharing the story when I return xx
Thank you Sean. Look forward to sharing the story when I return 😊
Thank you Jane! Very generous for the school and school community. Counting down the days now x
Thank you Michael for your donation for the school and school community. Very kind of you to support this mission 😊.
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