The Naramatisho Women's Centre — $105,000 in JCF funding built a social enterprise hub empowering Maasai women across pastoral tribes.
As we entered the driveway of the Naramatisho Centre, we were greeted by a hugely enthusiastic group of Maasai people singing and dancing. They virtually pulled us from Hedrun's 4WD and escorted us down the driveway, encouraging us to sing and dance with them along the way.
The next 24 hours were spent with Maria, Tina, Grace, Edwin and Singa — the wonderful leaders of the Women's Pastoral Council (PWC) who are developing Naramatisho as a women's social enterprise. The JCF provided three annual grants of $35,000 to fund each stage of the building. Their vision: a hub for local Maasai women to sell crafts to tourists, and a meeting space for women from Maasai, Sonja, Akie and Tagongo tribes to learn about human rights, empowerment and business skills.
During our stay, we attended a parent and teacher meeting at a local Maasai school — sitting under shady trees overlooking the Serengeti, listening to people sort through issues from marauding elephants to securing water access. "Water is everything" is a common mantra here.
We came away impressed by the profound impact they are having on the life outcomes of the women from pastoral communities they serve.
Anne Gripper
Sunshine Coast, QLD
JCF Board member and Foundation administrator. Coordinates funding partnerships across Sunshine Coast, North East Victoria, East Africa, and Papua New Guinea.
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