Lindsay’s Journey
- How Eco Moyo Began
Lindsay’s journey started with a simple goal: to find herself and a deeper meaning in life. That search led to something incredible — creating a school that now provides free education to 270 children. This is her story, from those first steps of self-discovery to building Eco Moyo and making a difference in so many lives.
My journey began in my late 20s when I was working in Greece for a reality TV show. It became painfully clear that my life was not unfolding as I had hoped. After dedicating three years to film school, was I really destined to create low-quality television? Wasn't there more I could contribute to the world?
In search of purpose, I embarked on global travels. However, I didn't find the answers I sought and was left deeply perplexed about my place in the world. Upon returning to Norway, I battled severe depression and eventually found myself hospitalized. It was then that I realized I needed to shift my focus from myself to serving others, leading me to Kenya.
Through an acquaintance, I found myself at an orphanage in Mombasa, where I volunteered with daily tasks and spent time with the children. My intention wasn't to "save the children of Africa," but rather to save myself from my own struggles. It was during this time that I grasped the importance of being a resource. With the help of medication and interactions with the children, I slowly began to heal. Unfortunately, corruption within the orphanage came to light, and I had to leave.
However, shortly after, I encountered another group of children who were not attending school, and I felt compelled to help.
Visiting government schools shocked me with their poor standards and lack of resources. Private schools were far too expensive.
So, what was the best way to support these kids?
In what may seem like madness now, but was a natural solution at the time, I decided to start my own school. Not just any school, but one with a sustainable farm. Fresh from permaculture and natural building training, I was brimming with ideas and energy.
My mission was clear: to create a top-tier green school for children from underprivileged families. And that's how Eco Moyo got its name. "Eco" for ecology and "Moyo" for heart, signifying a love for the environment.
With the support of family and friends, I acquired books, hired teachers, and rented facilities for our new project. Simultaneously, my artist friend Martin Whatson's career took off, and he began supporting the school. Thanks to him, we secured a 10-acre plot away from Mombasa's noise and pollution. My already established partner, Asumptor, managed the Mombasa school, while my partner at the time and I focused on the new plot's development.
Initially, things were challenging. We lived in a mudhouse that served as our everything in one room. With limited solar power, daily tasks were exhausting and time-consuming. Nonetheless, we continued to make progress. In Norway, I worked tirelessly to gather support for the school. Finally, the Oslo School of Architecture agreed to design classrooms and fund construction. Students from various countries joined us in Kenya, collaborating with local craftsmen to build unique structures.
In 2017, the oldest children from Mombasa joined our new school as boarding students. We continued expanding the school, constructing new buildings each year.
Hundreds of children from the nearby village joined, many of whom had never attended school. Thanks to partners around the world, we provided free food, uniforms, and school supplies to the children. Volunteers, foundations, and private sponsors helped us achieve our goal of offering free primary education to underprivileged children.
The gratitude I feel toward those who supported us along the way—both then and now—is beyond words.
Eco Moyo today
In 2022 the school was fully constructed and 2023 was the first year of a full worthy primary school with 8 classes from PP1 up to class 6. From starting with 20 children in Mombasa in 2014 to provide free education to 270 children in 2025 has been quite the journey. With ups and downs, sweat and tears, not to mention a lot of joy. This could not have been done without all the generous souls who have contributed and still do.
Another Norwegian university, NTNU, participated in a building workshop, and partnerships were formed with Architects Without Borders and Engineers Without Borders for a site masterplan. These collaborations have yielded many fruitful projects to this day.
To make ends meet, I worked as a land surveyor in Norway every summer. I didn't receive a salary for the first five years.
Martin's support grew, and with his friend Fredrik, they organized online art auctions featuring international street art to support Eco Moyo. This initiative has been a significant success and has been repeated five times!
