This is how it all started...

I, Toopia, was born in 1973 and raised in the Barsaloi region in Northern Kenya. In 1996 I spent my first months in Switzerland where I stayed several more times for 1999 to 2005. Early on I had already had the vision of starting a project with Massai living in Switzerland. The goal developed of supporting my countrymen in Northern Kenya in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, drinking water, school, and medical care. At an evening gathering of the group of Massai on May 16, 2004 in Zug, an actual project emerged from the vision. Of the seven Massai present, Alun and I were the ones who had a burden on our hearts for this project. After some initial concern, the other Massai became enthusiastic for the project as well. It soon became clear to us that we lacked the knowledge and experience to give a solid structure to this project. In the summer of that same year, I began to sell hand-made products from my country at Swiss markets. Already then did the proceeds go to 100% as direct aid to the Samburus.

At the end of 2004 I was hired to two temporary jobs in Switzerland, one being at the Swiss Massai Vertrieb (MBT). The opportunity arose for me to speak to the company's founder Karl Müller, about my project. As a successful businessman with a heart for suffering people, he has supported humanitarian projects around the world for many years through his KM Foundation. After this talk the project received the name MALASI. Soon after, the foundation provided a donation for the implementation of several important charges. With this money a school house in Raraiti was able to be repaired and a toilette built. Furthermore, tables and benches for the school were made and water tanks with pipes to collect rain water were acquires and installed.

Back from a further holiday in my country, I began the implementation of the small credit concept. The intention small credits is to help innovative farmers create an additional source of income beside cattle raising. I paid the amount of 11,000 Shillings (200 Swiss Francs) per farmer and family from my own Swiss salary. In a few months and through tireless effort, I was able to help 26 farmers gain a new source of income to their livelihood. Thus the no longer depended on their meager incomes through cows, goats, and sheep for their basic existence. During this time these farmers were assisted by David Dadiyo Lolwerikoi, the local representative of the MALASI project.

Despite my small salary, I further saved 600 Swiss Francs (33,000 Shillings) for the MALASI project in 2006 and 2007. This money was devoted to further small credits, the local acquisition of goats, food, and the export of local products (e.g. jewelry, shoes) for sales at Swiss markets.

As an employee of Swiss Massai Vertrieb, my duties included, among other things, MBT training in the Kybun-Center in St.Gallen. There I was able to make new contacts to people, who were not only good friends and who strengthened me in my faith, but who also gave me important ideas for the future of my work in Africa. They are people who have lived in Africa or who have been to various countries as travelers. As such, they have grown to love the people of the African continent. Together with them, I founded the association "Hope for Samburus".

I thank all those people who have supported me financially and who have stood by me in word and deed all this time.