Kirepari Nursery School, Lake Baringo

From a hillside on Kokwa Island, the Kirepari Nursery School (formerly Longicharo Nursery) looks out on Lake Baringo, one of two fresh water lakes in the Great Rift Valley. The lake is home to crocodiles, hippos and the largest variety of birds in the country. The Il Chamus people who live here are close relatives to the Maasai. Like the Maasai, the Il Chamus build their circular, thatch-roofed homes from sticks, mud and cow dung. They cross the lake in small boats made from the buoyant wood of the ambatch tree. The region is very hot and dry.

This community has seen many changes in the past few years, including a move in 2007 from their home on the mainland to Kokwa Island after repeated attacks by another ethnic community endangered their well being. Secure now, they have successfully resettled and are enjoying life on Kokwa. Welcomed by the residents of Kokwa Island, they became part of that community which has meant that FKSW now works not only with the people of Kirepari, but with the entire island! This is undoubtedly where we spend most of our time and effort.