Kenya · The Maasai · The Nairoshi FoundationKenya · The Maasai · The Nairoshi Foundation

One world,
two stories.

Two documentaries about the Maasai of Kenya to support their lives — people who live through connection, simplicity and a deep respect for nature.Part of every contribution supports education through The Nairoshi Foundation.

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The story

Where value
truly lies.

After a life-changing car accident, Mark — one of the creators — travelled to Kenya and lived among a Maasai community. What he found there stayed with him: a way of living where value isn’t measured by what you own or what you do, but by who you are, how you live, how you connect, and what you pass on.

That insight is too meaningful to keep to ourselves. So together — photographer and videographer Franca Gielen and Mark Brands — we give their stories a voice in two documentaries: two lives within the same culture, each following a very different path. Our goal is to give back and support them.

Mark and the team with Kamurar and his brothers on location in Kenya

Behind the project

Why we’re doing this.

In this teaser, Mark shares the story behind the project. With these two documentaries, we want to share the Maasai world from within, preserve their knowledge and traditions, and give back to the community through The Nairoshi Foundation — helping Maasai children gain access to education and new opportunities.

(Spoken in Dutch, with English subtitles.)

Support the Maasai →
Documentary I · Seyianoi & The Nairoshi Foundation

A future,
opening up.

Seyianoi is a young Maasai girl growing up between tradition and the future. Through The Nairoshi Foundation, she goes to school — a chance she wouldn’t otherwise have had.

Our first film follows her: her days at home and in the classroom, and the doors that education opens. What are her dreams? What opportunities lie ahead for her?

Mark with David of The Nairoshi Foundation and a Maasai schoolchild in front of the school

With David, who leads The Nairoshi Foundation, on location near the school.
Documentary II

The Warrior
who sings.

Kamurar is one of Kenya’s most renowned Maasai warriors — known across the country as a singer. Through his songs, he keeps the ancient traditions of his people alive.

Over the years, Mark built a friendship with him out of mutual respect. Kamurar and his brothers have voices and stories that should travel beyond the savannah. This film is our way of reaching out: a portrait of a guardian of knowledge who deserves an international audience.

Maasai warrior at dusk

Two Maasai warriors on the rocks at dusk
Three Maasai warriors on the savannah
Where your support goes

Honest about
the journey.

We pay for our own way. Our flights, our safari, our accommodation — we cover these ourselves. Your support does not fund our trip.

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Directly to the foundation

A significant, meaningful part goes straight to The Nairoshi Foundation — handed over by us in person, on location. You’ll see it happen: we’ll share it from Kenya.

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Reaching a wider world

The rest funds festival submissions and sharing these films internationally — so more people discover The Nairoshi Foundation, and the Maasai warriors are given the voice and international audience they deserve.

The foundation

The Nairoshi
Foundation.

The Nairoshi Foundation is part of the Building Hope Society and is dedicated to creating a brighter future for children in the Maasai community. The foundation is led by David, a proud Maasai. It places a special focus on supporting girls.

Through donations and sponsorships, they are given the opportunity to continue their education. Education gives them new opportunities and a different perspective on their future. At the same time, it helps even the still deeply traditional Maasai communities see that their children can have different opportunities in life.

The Nairoshi Foundation — education for Maasai children, led by David

Follow the journey

We’ll take
you with us.

From September, we’re posting from Kenya as it happens — the filming, the people, the moment we reach the school. This page is a living logbook. Follow along.

Be part of it

This journey
isn’t ours alone.

If it moved you, there are three ways to be part of it.

01

Share the story

Costs nothing, means everything. Send this page to someone who should see it.

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02

A piece of Kenya

Take home a signed fine-art print of the Maasai warriors — and support the films at the same time.

View the prints →
03

Support the foundation

Make a donation of any kind to show your support for the Maasai — and receive something from us as a thank-you.

Support via Voordekunst →
Example fine-art print of Maasai warriors at dusk
Example shown. Your print will be one of the photographs we make on this journey — of the warriors in this story, printed and hand-signed by them.
Fine-art prints

A piece of Kenya,
on your wall.

A signed fine-art print of the Maasai warriors, photographed at dusk on the savannah — with the warriors’ own original signatures worked into the print, making every piece truly one of a kind. A unique image with the story behind it, and your contribution helps support the Maasai culture.

The Print
30 × 45 cm · Signed with the warriors’ original signatures
from €100
Order via Voordekunst →
Scroll down on Voordekunst to select this print.
The Collector’s Print
60 × 90 cm · Signed with the warriors’ original signatures
from €300
Order via Voordekunst →
Scroll down on Voordekunst to select this print.
The Gallery Print
70 × 105 cm · Signed with the warriors’ original signatures
from €500
Order via Voordekunst →
Scroll down on Voordekunst to select this print.
The team

Two generations,
one friendship.

What started as an internship grew into a friendship that has connected two generations. Over the years our paths kept crossing, through a shared passion for travel, storytelling and encounters with cultures that inspire us.

Mark brings the personal story and his deep connection with the Maasai; Franca brings a fresh eye for the stories waiting to be told. Together, we believe in the power of stories — stories that connect people, open perspectives, and inspire us to see ourselves and the world differently.

Franca Gielen

Franca Gielen
Franca Gielen Photography & Video
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Mark Brands

Mark Brands
Travelmarks Photography
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Stories of Kenya

Two documentaries about the Maasai of Kenya to support their lives — people who live through connection, simplicity and a deep respect for nature. At the heart of it all: The Nairoshi Foundation, and access to education for Maasai children. A film by Mark Brands & Franca Gielen.

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Mark

Franca

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© 2026 · Stories of Kenya — One world, two stories.A part of every contribution goes to The Nairoshi Foundation.