Supporting Maasai communities in northern Tanzania with their sustainable pathways out of poverty, which promote wellbeing and dignity for all, in harmony with the wildlife.
We support the Maasai people in and around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. These determined and resilient people, with their rich culture, have historically led sustainable lives in harmony with the wildlife of East Africa. Since being moved off their wide ranging lands of the Serengeti in 1959 their lives have become increasingly difficult. Strict conservation practice and the ever increasing effects of the climate crisis limit their ability to care for their families and livestock. We support them with their work finding solutions to their current issues which are causing widespread hunger and ill health. Projects include different methods of accessing clean water, year round food availability, sponsoring child and adult education, improved health care facilities, health education and microfinance loans with training for women giving them business opportunities.
The Community Health Education Programme gives information which is opening people’s minds to ways of improving their well being. Since the classes started pregnancy clinic attendance and immunisation uptake have increased dramatically. The classes are giving information and encouraging discussion about the harmful practice of child marriage and FGC (Female Genital Cutting) traditionally performed on all girls at puberty. The education reaches people of all ages and gender, who are now voluntarily reducing these practices.
In 2020, our health teaching included Covid-19 preventative measures: safe distancing, hand washing and avoiding gatherings. The government initially closed schools and stopped all public meetings, but schools are now open again and meetings allowed. During the restrictions our teaching continued via social media, using dramas created by local Maasai groups.
All projects are sustainable and managed by the people themselves.
We were registered with the UK Charity Commission in 2008. Our own travel, time and UK administration expenses are paid by ourselves, the UK founders, so 100% of your donations go directly to the community projects.
We are very grateful to Tomas Pukalski of Framework Digital in Aylesbury https://frameworkdigital.co.uk for designing and supporting our website.
