Mara West began with community long before it became a safari camp. In 2001, the Aho family welcomed the first group of volunteers to the land that would eventually become Mara West. Since then, that connection has grown into decades of partnership with the local Maasai community and a shared commitment to creating opportunities for generations to come.
Mara West Foundation works alongside local Maasai leadership to understand the needs and priorities of the surrounding community. Through our affiliated nonprofit organization, Africa Mission Services, these partnerships have grown into long-term programs in education, healthcare, and community development.
Together, we focus on creating opportunities that grow from within the community—supporting local people and building programs designed to last.
What began as a small clinic opening its doors when visiting medical volunteers were available has grown into year-round healthcare for the surrounding Maasai community. In 2008, the clinic began operating full time, creating consistent access to care closer to home.
Today, that commitment continues to grow. A new Women’s Health and Maternity Clinic opened in 2024, providing dedicated care for women and mothers, followed in 2026 by a new facility offering dental, eye, and urgent care. Together, these services provide a growing range of healthcare for individuals and families throughout the community.
Education has been a central Part of our work in the Maasai community for more than two decades. Over the years, we have helped build schools and classrooms and continue to invest in improvements each year, creating better spaces for local students to learn and grow.
But our commitment extends beyond the classroom. Through our student sponsorship program, we help young people continue their education when financial barriers might otherwise stand in the way. Volunteers also contribute to educational programs in local schools, and when sponsored students complete their education, we look for opportunities to welcome them onto our own team- turning education into a pathway toward meaningful employment and a future within their community.
Each year, Mara West welcomes approximately 12–15 volunteer groups who work alongside our local teams and communities. Their efforts help turn long-term plans into reality—from constructing schools and healthcare facilities to improving access to clean water and supporting educational programs in local classrooms.
The work also extends beyond the communities closest to Mara West. Volunteer medical and dental teams travel to more remote areas through mobile clinics, bringing care to people with limited access to permanent healthcare facilities. Whether building, teaching, providing care, or improving essential resources, these projects bring people together around practical needs and investments designed to make a lasting difference
Guests at Mara West are invited to visit the schools and healthcare facilities connected to the Foundation, meet the people behind the work, and see firsthand how these long-standing partnerships are creating lasting impact.
What began with a small group of volunteers more than two decades ago continues to grow today. There is always more to do—and many ways to be part of what comes next, whether by supporting a project, sponsoring a student, or joining one of our volunteer teams.