.png)
Our Journey:
From Dream to Reality
Amid Challenges
An inspiring story of resilience and community support during difficult times
In 2018, we embarked on a journey fueled by a shared dream and a 4x4 vehicle purchased through my hard work alongside my studies of African languages and cultures in Leiden, the Netherlands. Just before the pandemic struck, we proudly acquired 5 hectares of land to establish our safari camp. However, this was just the beginning of a two-year saga filled with unexpected challenges.
Determined not to let adversity defeat us, we forged ahead with our plans, despite being separated for several months. Anne worked an extra job in the Netherlands, while Dennis focused on laying the groundwork for Oseki’s first structures in Kenya. Together, we designed and built new tent structures each month, pushing forward our dream of creating a unique safari experience.
Throughout the pandemic, our priority was to retain our team and maintain our vision. The extra job was crucial to ensure that we could keep everything on track. Understanding the hardships faced by our local community, we committed to providing aid to those who were most affected. Many lost their jobs and had no resources to fall back on, having chosen a full settlement lifestyle instead of a nomadic lifestyle.
We were fortunate to assist 500 households during the first six months of the pandemic by distributing blankets and food packages, thanks to our partnership with Naivas Supermarket and support from our close friends at Oseki. A heartfelt thank you to Frank, Sigrid, Nikki, and everyone else who contributed to this effort. As the country began to slowly reopen, we turned our attention to another important initiative. We partnered with a compassionate Dutch couple, Wilma and Hubrecht, who run a project called Corja. Upon learning that a girls' dormitory in Nkineji had burned down—just 45 minutes from us—they graciously donated to help us rebuild the dorm room, which had been nearly destroyed by the fire. We would also like to recognize Farith for donating KES 600,000 for books for Nkineji school, and Corinne, who has sponsored a child to attend school for four years now. Their support has made a significant difference in the community. Our commitment to raising awareness for our food project even led us to be featured on French television, France 24, where we shared our story and mission. Through challenges and triumphs, we remain dedicated to our dream and the community we serve. Together, we continue to build Oseki, one tent at a time, while nurturing the spirit of connection and support that unites us all.