Maasai Ecolodge

Today we're visiting the Maasai Ecolodge in Karatu. This social enterprise supports the Maasai Girls Rescue Centre. We left our Lodge early and picked up the community chief, commissioner and Marina so they can see the accommodation/rescue centre for themselves to better understand the concept we're hoping to offer them.

Although called a Maasai Ecolodge - the Maasai cultural piece was actually more like a museum area, with miniature samples huts, miniature boma or fenced in area for animals and a gathering and some demonstration space to show fire making , spear throwing and beading.

The Rescue Centre rescues women, girls and their children from the sex trade and other abuses. They house up to 75 people and provide accommodation, education, some training in things such as baking. Their support helps them move on to better lives. The facility is beautiful, includes classrooms and outdoor grass soccer field and basketball court. The Lodge and the Centre both have high security.  

The farm grows all kinds of vegetables, raises pigs, chickens, rabbits, has cows for milking and even grows it's own coffee. The animals eat the waste from the produce and help to create a natural ecosystem for the property.