They recognized that their children with a modern education would lead different lives to the traditional Samburu but that they would be highly valued in the community. They would be expected to take part in all ceremonies and, if they worked away from home, they would return home for all holidays. 

In 2013 the very first students who had started school at the Thorn Tree kindergartens in 2002 graduated from trade schools and colleges. These students were the first person in their families to ever go to school. There were 32 of them in 2013, with another 300 since then. They all have jobs and send part of their wages home. They have a great sense of duty and responsibility and they are very proud to be able to do this. Many are helping to put their younger siblings through school.