MAYOO founder and director Jonathan Saoyo Simel left for the UK last week in what was a monumental step forward for the MAYOO program, as well as a dream come true for Jonathan. After years of failed attempts to gain a visa, Jonathan finally received his visa in February and booked his flight for the UK on March 1st. When asked what he did when he first got his visa he replied “I yelled in the streets of Nairobi, people think I’m mad but I didn’t care because I got a visa.”

Jonathan taking a tour of London!

Jonathan will be staying in the UK until April 7th and plans to tour the country to raise awareness of the issues facing his community and hopes to fund raise money for MAYOO to combat the problems of FGM, child education and water access. Jonathan’s tour includes 4 stops, London, Manchester, Norwich and Winchester. Jonathan plans to speak at local universities and churches to help build support for MAYOO and share Maasai culture with with locals.

Thanks to the support of past volunteers and new friends, Jonathan will have hosts in every city to take him around and show him the ropes. MAYOO would like to thank the Lulu Luckock and the McNair Family for hosting Jonathan during his time in London. So far, Jonathan has visited two schools and had an official meeting with the All Saints Church in Fulham. In addition, Jonathan has had an interview with Arise News in London and was on their morning news television program. Which you can watch here!

Jonathan hopes that with the increased awareness from his touring of the UK, that he will be able to find the support he needs to combat the issues facing the Maasai community and with the help of his new found friends that future looks brighter and brighter, thanks to their kind hearts, and passionate enthusiasm!

Jonathan with his London Hosts!