As Proud As A Peacock, As Happy As A Lark

One lovely October day last year our guides hosted a group of Emurutoto Primary School children on a game drive/conservation lesson into the Mara Triangle and this is what we received a few days later. The letters made us cry and reminded us of why we do what we do each day. Each letter was beautifully penned in pencil on a precious A4 sheet of paper – I only wish you could see the originals. And please don’t forget that these young children speak English as their third language. I have transcribed these precious letters word for word.

Dear Sir/Madam
REF: THANKS FOR A TOUR TO MAASAI MARA
I am very happy this moment and as proud as a peacock to write to you this letter. I thank you for us to Maasai Mara for a tour. I was very happy because I saw many wild animals. I had never sean some anlimals like Elephant and lion, but on that very day I saw them. We enjoyed the tour very much.
I had always been performing in class. At times I become top three in exams and that is why you took us for a tour.
Thank you in advance
Your’s faithfully
ABIGAIL NASERIAN
(Abigail is a boarder, she is 13 years old and in Class 8. Her favourite animal is a lion and she wants to be a surgeon.)

Abigail Naserian

Dear Sir/Madam
RE: THANKS FOR TAKING US FOR TOUR
I am a girl in standard Seven. I am twelve years old. I hereby writing for you this letter to appreciating you for organising for us tour to Masai Mara Game reserve.
On that day when the head teacher told us about the tour we as happy as a lark. This was because I personally I had never went to Masai Mara game park. We went there and we saw different animals like elephant, lion, Orebi, lioness, buffaloes, mangoes and the aquatic animals like hippos and crocodile.
We were very happy for the situation. I am appreciating you and continued with that spirit and almighty father be with you. Thank you.
Yours faithfully
YIAMITON ANN KUTALE
(Anne is a boarder, her favourite animal is a lion and she wants to be an engineer)

Ann Yiamiton

Dear Sir/Madam
RE: THANK GIVING FOR THE TOUR
I take this great opportunity to say thanks to you for sponsoring us to go to Maasai mara Game reserve. We don’t have anything to pay but to bless you and to continue to providing for you and add you more.
So that is why am glad to take this golden opportunity to say thanks before you. You realy do a very good and mavelus thing that will linger in my mind like a crusifiscan archibishops neck.
There I learnt my thing. My young expanded under you. May God of heaven bless you and add you more heart of caring people. I don’t have much to say but to thank you for that.
Yours faithfully
CICILIA TUNAI
(Cicilia is a boarder in Grade 6 and her favourite animal is an elephant. She is 12 years old and would like to be a guide)

Cicilia Tunai

Dear Angama mara
My name is Diana Koikoki. I am in Grade 2. I would really like to thank you for the tour treat I had to maasai mara.
I saw many animals two were really interesting. The elephant is soo big. I almost jumped out of the car for the fear it would attack us. I am really grateful for the good guides. That was my happiest day in life.
Thanks a lot
Your loving friend
Diana
(Diana is a day scholar and is 11 years old. Her favourite animal is a lion and one day she would like to be a pilot)

Diana Koikoti

TO MANAGER ANGAMA
REF: THANK FOR TAKING US FOR TOUR
I am writing this letter owing to the above mentioned head. We had a very enjoyeble tour. We saw different kinds of animals.
We learnt that they have benefits in our country more so in our county. Poachers may kill them like elephants because of their tusk but if I saw I would take action.
Thank you for giving us a tour
Yours faithfully
EZRA OBIKI
(Ezra is a day scholar in Grade 5. He is 11 years old, his favourite animal is a lion and one day he would like to be a doctor)

Ezra Obiki

Dear Sir/Madam
RE: APPRECIATION FOR TAKING US TO TOUR
I am twelve years old. I am a hard working boy and a discipline. I understand that hard work never goes unrewarded.
The reason for writting to you this letter is to appreciate you for sponsoring me on the tour we went. I would also like to thank your team for the kindness you have showed us.
On the tour we saw many animals such as lions, lioness, buffaloes, and the crocodiles. I want to inform you that it was a day that I had never witnessed. I will never forget that day.
Thank you and be blessed
Yours faithfully
GLEN LEMAYIAN
(Glen is 11 and a day scholar in Standard 7. His favourite animal is a cheetah and he would like to be an engineer)

Glen Lemayan

Dear sir/Madam
REF: APPRECIATION FOR TAKING US TO MAASAI MARA
We are so excited for taking us to Maasai Mara and we had seen your support and kindness. I am a class 7 boy and am working hard to be a better person in future. I wish you will come and take us next year to further than the place we went the last time.
I thank you for what you did. You will be blessed because many school are in this area but you chose to come to our school.
Apart from academic excellence I am also active in sport and games. I looked forward to your favourable Consideration.
Welcome again Thank you
Yours faithfully
SIDAI JOHN KISEET
(John is a boarder in Grade 8. He is 15 years old, loves lions and wants to be an engineer)

John Sidai

Dear Sir/Madam
REF: THANK FOR A TOUR TO MAASAI MARA
I am writing this letter owing the above mentioned head. In fact if it is not your wish I could not have saw animals like lion and elephant.
I learn more about them and I knew that they are very important. Tourist come from far places and they brought income.
Some are dangerous in our life but we must take care of them. I notice that in our country they have a lot of income and as from now I know if I saw poachers or anybody who want to kill I will take serious action.
Yours faithfully
KAILA KOYIAKI COLLINS
(Kaila is a boarder in Class 8. He is 13 years old, loves elephants and wants to be a pilot one day)

Kaila Koiyaki

Dear sir/madam
RE: THANKS FOR TAKING US FOR TOUR
I am taking this moment to thank you for taking us to Masai Mara game reserve. When the head teacher told us the situation we were as happy as a lark because we had never went to Masai Mara.
When we reached there we saw the animals like elephant, Orebi, Toppy, lion and among others.
Almighty father be with you
Yours faithfully
LERUMPE MELITA
(Lerumpe is 11 years old, in Class 5 and a boarder. His favourite animal is a lion and he would like to be a pilot)

Lerumpe Melite

Dear my friend from angama
I am going to narrate you my story. One day I was taken to Maasai Mara by the people you sent. I was worried and happy at the same time. I saw many animals. There was this tall one called a giraffe. It was very beautifull.
Thanks a lot for making my day. I love you.
Your loving friend
SHARON SINTAMEI
(Sharon is a day scholar. She is 9 years old in Class 3, loves lions and would like to be a captain/pilot)

Sharon Sintamei

Der Sir/Madam
RE: THANK FOR SPONSERING ME TO TOUR
I am a very hard working girl. The reason why I have decided to write this letter to you is just to thank you. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the good work which you have done for us.
Thank you for your kindness because you have done a lot. I would like to appreciate your witness because you have take an action to take us to Maasai Mara game reserve. As from now I can explain more about Maasai Mara because of you.
Yours faithfully
SUSAN KIMANJOI
(Susan is 12 years old, in Class 7 and boards at school. She loves zebras and wants to be a lawyer)

Susan Kimanjoi

Note from the Editor: Thank you for reading all their letters (there were many more). Emurutoto Primary School, with 725 pupils, is a 15-minute drive from the lodge. Half of the children board in beautiful hostels built by Angels in Africa. We are so proud to take our guests there – they always leave a piece of their hearts behind when they say goodbye. It’s that kind of place.