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About Joseph Lemosalai Lekuton
Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton was born in a cow-dung hut in Northern Kenya. His nomadic, pastoral family is part of a sub-group of the Maasai, called the Ariaal, and Joseph was the son chosen to go to school. By age 7 he was attending a missionary boarding school and on school vacations he went home in search of his nomadic family, sometimes traveling on his own for over 50 miles.
Joseph eventually came to the US on a full scholarship to St. Lawrence University. For over 10 years, he taught history at the The Langley School in McLean, Virginia and on school vacations he would lead groups of students and families on trips to Kenya. In 2003, he received a Masters in International Education Policy from Harvard University.
Joseph has always remained close to his people and the land where he was born. He assembled donors and established the Karare Primary Boarding School; dug boreholes and constructed a water system that delivers clean water to a dozen villages; provided solar panels and computers for the Laisamis Secondary School. For several years he has inspired the work of other non-profit organizations like the Nomadic Kenyan Children's Educational Fund, Cows for Kids and The Boma Fund. For these and other accomplishments, Joseph became the youngest recipient of Kenya's Order of the Grand Warrior, a presidential award for exemplary service to his nation.
In the spring of 2006, a tragic plane crash in Northern Kenya claimed the lives of 6 Members of the Kenyan Parliament, including the incumbent Member of Parliament in Joseph's district. Joseph decided it was the right time to return to Kenya permanently and he won the July 2006 By-Election as a Member of Parliament in the Kenya National Assembly. In 2007 he will run for the privilege of serving his people for a five-year term.
Joseph Lekuton is the author of a children's book published by National Geographic entitled, "Facing the Lion: Growing up Maasai on the African Savanna". He has been featured on NBC Nightly News, The Today Show and National Public Radio's The Diane Rehms Show. People magazine, Reader's Digest and Washingtonian have told the story of his trips with his students and their families, where he taught them to appreciate what they have and what young Kenyans work so hard to achieve.
Joseph Lekuton has been named an Emerging Explorer for 2006
Each year The National Geographic Society selects a new class of Emerging Explorers. These dynamic personalities are already making significant contributions to their fields and show potential for true breakthroughs. National Geographic's Emerging Explorers Program recognizes and supports uniquely gifted and inspiring young adventurers, scientists, photographers, and storytellers-explorers who are already making a difference early in their careers.
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