#maasai — Public Fediverse posts

Meet the #IndigenousWomen restoring #Kenya’ s #MauForest — and reshaping gender roles

Juliet Akoth Ojwang
11 Aug 2026

Exceprt: "Restoring forests, rebuilding livelihoods

For Nancy Letina, chairperson of Namaiyana Women’s Group within the Paran network, joining the collective in 2021 transformed not only how she viewed conservation but also her family’s economic future.

" 'Previously, as #Maasai women, we depended on our husbands for everything, even household items like salt,' Letina said. But in 2019, that changed after her husband died, leaving her as the breadwinner with the responsibility to provide for her four children.

"The first two years after losing her husband were difficult. Together with a handful of women facing similar hardships from Olomaiayana-Iltirben village in Melelo ward, Letina formed a self-help group that supported members during times of need. Their fortunes began to change when the group joined Paran and received training in #sustainable livelihood activities.

" 'We gained knowledge that showed us that every woman can also fend for herself. Today, women have their own income. We can pay school fee arrears when our children are sent home and respond to emergencies without waiting for assistance.'

"Her group currently manages a 0.2-hectare (half-acre) #TreeNursery where they grow indigenous species such as the African olive (Olea europaea subsp. africana), valued in forest restoration for supporting #biodiversity and also widely used in traditional medicine, which they periodically supply to Paran. Letina’s group has sold 10,600 indigenous tree seedlings to the organization since joining. One seedling goes for 20 shillings ($0.15). The proceeds support both members and group activities."

Learn more:
https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/meet-the-indigenous-women-restoring-kenyas-mau-forest-and-reshaping-gender-roles/

#SolarPunkSunday #ProtectTheForest #ForestRestoration #NativeTrees #TreePlanting #TraditionalMedicine #CulturalPreservation #Africa #EastAfrica #BuildingCommunity #Resiliency

#Fundraiser - Sustainable Education for girls in #Maasai community

"Hello family,friends across the globe.

My name is Maryann Namayiana the founder of Masai jewelery community based organization from loita Narok, Kenya.

I am writing to share a critical opportunity to support education within the Maasai community in #loita .While the Maasai people possess a rich cultural heritage, access to quality education remains limited. Children face severe challenges, including walking over 10 kilometers daily to reach the nearest school, a lack of clean sanitation facilities, and limited learning materials. For girls, these barriers are often compounded by early cultural expectations.We believe that education is the most effective tool to empower the next generation while preserving the community's core values.

To address these gaps, we are currently prioritizing, school fees for the needy girls:
- providing sanitary towels.
- supplying textbooks.
- personal items.

Contribution would directly help us keep 150 girls in school this term. The target is $20,000.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss our current project plan and budget with you in more detail. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely
Maryann Namayiana"

https://www.gofundme.com/f/57rch9-support-human-rights-campaign?lang=en_US

#MutualAid #Fundraisers #HumanRights #CulturalPreservation #SolarPunkSunday #EastAfrica #Africa