From City Life to Boma Nights – My First Weeks Living with a Maasai Family

In November 2024, while I was in Zanzibar, life brought me to two Maasai brothers. That meeting changed everything. They invited me to visit their family in Tanzania and learn about Maasai culture. I didn’t hesitate. In February 2025, I returned and spent five unforgettable weeks living in a Maasai boma.

Life in the Bush

Those weeks were unlike anything I had experienced before.I fell in love with the rhythm of bush life—no electricity, no running water, just nature, animals, and people living in harmony with the land.

There were cows, goats, chickens, and sometimes unexpected visitors. One day, I accidentally stepped on a dead scorpion. I could feel the venom creeping up my calf—it was painful and strange. Luckily, by the next day the feeling had gone.

But even with such moments, I never once thought: “I don’t belong here.” In fact, it felt the opposite.

What the Maasai Taught Me

What struck me first, even back in Zanzibar, was how little the Maasai have in material terms—yet how rich they are in spirit. Despite hard conditions and economic struggles, they stand tall, proud, and always smiling.

Their life is not easy. Adjusting to the modern, fast-paced world is difficult, and survival often depends on creativity and resilience. And still, they know how to enjoy life. They laugh, they dance, they take each day without rushing.

Living with them taught me to slow down, to see the world differently.

Warm Welcome

Many people asked me: “How can you live in such conditions?” My family and friends couldn’t believe I would manage in the bush. But I had no issues at all.

From the very beginning, I was welcomed warmly and treated with kindness. In fact, I was treated like a princess (which, honestly, I didn’t really like—it’s not who I am). What mattered more was the sense of belonging.

Those five weeks confirmed what my heart already knew: this is where I want to be.

Moving to the Boma

In August 2025, I made the decision and moved permanently to the boma. Since then, I can honestly say I have been the happiest girl in the world.

I love the simple life—waking up to the sounds of animals, breathing fresh air, and feeling free. At the same time, I see the struggles. Surviving in a world where money is becoming more and more necessary is hard for the Maasai.

A New Chapter of Purpose

Before moving, I connected with a Polish woman named Renata, who also lives in the bush. She is the founder of Masai Heart of Tanzania Foundation, a beautiful initiative that supports the Maasai community.

She invited me to join as a volunteer, and I said yes without hesitation. My first project is close to the heart of every Maasai family: helping them buy cows.

Why cows? Because cows are life. They provide milk and meat, and they are a source of income. With enough cows, families can sell them to pay for food, clothes, medical care, and education. Cows are their security and their future.

My Heart Is Here

I am beyond excited about this new chapter of my life. Living in the bush has cleared my mind, opened my heart, and given me peace.

City life gave me structure. Zanzibar gave me freedom. And now, the Maasai boma gives me belonging.

This is my journey—from city life to boma nights.

Reflection for You

Have you ever felt pulled toward a way of life that others couldn’t understand? What would it take for you to follow that calling, even if it looks completely different from what you once imagined?

Support the Maasai Family – A Cow Means Life

During my time in the boma, I saw with my own eyes how much cows mean to the Maasai. They are not just animals—they are life itself. Cows provide milk and meat, and when needed, they can be sold to pay for school fees, medical care, food, and clothing.

Right now, the family I live with needs more cows to secure their future and survive without fear of emergencies. That’s why, through the Masai Heart of Tanzania Foundation, my first volunteer project is to help raise funds to buy cows for them.

Every contribution—big or small—brings them closer to stability, dignity, and peace of mind.

If you feel called to support, you can learn more and donate here:

Let's buy a cow

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can make a real difference.