The (Angama) Foundation of Fun

In the heart of Maasailand, childhood looks a little different. By the age of seven, many Maasai children are already stepping into roles of responsibility. When not at school, their day often begins with the sounds of hooves and bleats, because it’s their job to care for the family’s livestock.

The younger ones, between seven and ten, usually look after goats and sheep. As they grow older, so do their responsibilities. By the time they are 10 to 15, they’re trusted with small herds of cows. And once they hit 15? That’s it; they’re considered grown-ups. Which means they take charge of large herds, walking long distances in search of grass and water. It’s no small task. Livestock is the heartbeat of the Maasai way of life.

But even the most responsible young herders deserve a day to just be children, before school resumes, and they must juggle double responsibility.

That’s why Collins Ole Saruni, General Manager at Angama Amboseli, came up with a simple but powerful idea: Angama Fun Day — a whole day of games, joy and community. A chance to give back and remind these hardworking children that childhood should still have moments of laughter and play.

The fun kicked off at 09h00 with a football match. The teams were named after Angama’s core values: Respect, Joy, Courage, and Honesty. And the action didn’t stop there.

There were relays, 100-metre sprints, and a tug of war that had the whole crowd cheering. For the younger ones? Pure magic. A bouncing castle, a trampoline, tricycles, mini cars, and a giant inflatable slide turned the field into a wonderland. There was even a dancing mascot who had the kids giggling nonstop.

And just when we thought it couldn’t get better, the acrobats arrived. With flips, twists, and gravity-defying stunts, they left the crowd gasping and clapping. Later, a group of talented dancers lit up the stage with a powerful performance of western traditional dances.

As the sun started to dip, we ended on a high note, a charming, colourful fashion show starring the boys and girls of Enchoro Enkai. They walked the runway like stars, beaming with pride and creativity.

The Angama kitchen team, led by chef Edmund, made sure no one went home hungry. They served up a delicious lunch and soft drinks with everyone licking their fingers and patting their bellies.

Watching the children run, laugh, and play with so much freedom and joy… never gets old. We’re already dreaming up the next one, because every child in Kimana and beyond deserves a day to just be young and carefree.