In October 2011, Loita Hills, one of Kenyaʼs most remote areas home to over 150,000 Maasai, will take one big step forward in remote community development! Lil’ MDGs is working closely with Under the Acacia to implement a groundbreaking model of connectivity, knowledge, and construction, certain to pave the way for future community development strategies across rural Africa.

Currently, Lil’ MDGs is working with support from the Internet Society and Under the Acacia to implement a solar powered Internet kiosk at Loita Hills Academy. The implementation is conducted in partnership with  Under the Acacia, Designer Charles Newman, Greystone Aviation, Voices of Africa for Sustainable Development (VOA4SD), Adele’s Literacy Library, and Intersat Africa. Two people from Loita were identified and hired as operators for the Internet kiosk, and they are currently undergoing a two month intensive training, offered by VOA4SD, in computer management in Nairobi, Kenya. The kiosk will have specific hours for students of Loita Hills Academy, for a vocational adult training program course as well as for public usage (currently the nearest town with computer access is Narok, approximately 100 miles away). This initiative will also be an income generating activity (student and adult courses on monthly fees and public pay per minute fee structure) which will help sustain the monthly satellite usage fee ($150 a month) as well as the maintenance and further development of the program. A community board has been elected to oversee the success of this program. A Loita blog page will be created for the community to engage in and generate content to talk about their community growth on an open international forum.

Designer Charles Newman came on board to design an innovative building (to be called Greystone Learning Center) to house the solar-powered Internet kiosk. In addition to the solar-powered Internet kiosk, the Greystone Learning Center will also house a full library, as well as be a gathering place, with designated areas both inside and outside, to learn and share knowledge. Charles’ design will incorporate indigenous building strategies and local design aesthetics that are unique to the Maasai tribe, ensuring a cost efficient and durable structure that can be easily replicated.  His designs will incorporate indigenous building strategies, as well as local design aesthetics that are unique to the Maasai tribe, ensuring a cost efficient and durable structure that can be easily replicated. By encouraging the creative energies of the Maasai women, the building will become their piece of art - inspired by their intricate jewelry and regional identity. The Greystone Learning Center initiative and implementation of a solar-powered Internet kiosk in remote Kenya  are a true testament that there are no limitations to creative and sustainable development in rural Africa.

A campaign called, “15,000 Bottle Caps for Africa” was launched worldwide on Facebook, social media platforms and in participating bars and restaurants to encourage others to save their bottle caps from drinks and help the Maasai women build this incredible feature wall. Designer Charles Newman is changing up the approach to construction practices in remote Africa and currently we have bottle caps being collected in many countries! Please join this campaign on Facebook and post your comments.



This project breaks ground in October 2011.

In August 2011, Under the Acacia and VOA4SD visited the project site to meet with the community members as well as students of Loita Hills Academy to answer questions about the solar-powered Internet kiosk. Community members were encouraged to ask questions. The presentation was well-received. The community is now eagerly awaiting the opening of the Internet center.

To learn more about Loita Hills Academy, visit:
loitahillsacademy.com  |  undertheacacia.org  |  the7campaign.com