SIMOO

Land Rights and Natural Resource Management

 

For a long time land selling, land grabbing and increased designated protected areas have threatened Maasai territory. SIMOO has offered programs for land rights and empowerment. They have also been exposed to exchange programs to learn from other communities on how to manage their natural resources for conservation purposes and to directly benefit from them. This has led to the formation of community based conservancies which attracts tourists. As a result, eco-tourism projects are slowly emerging.

 

Through the exchange of ideas with other communities about conservation programs, community-based conservancies were formed.  As a result, eco-tourism designed to attract tourists, are emerging.

 

Vocational Trainings and Field Days

 

SIMOO has been conducting vocational trainings especially for the youth. In august 2007, training for the high school girls was held to interrogate on pertinent issues such as early marriages, FGM, HIV/AIDS among others. A theatre group has been continually trained to perform about specific themes especially HIV/Aids.

 

The local dispensaries have been stocked with basic drugs and equipment.

 

An annual cultural show/field day was held for three days on 14^th – 16^th June 2007. This brought over 5,000 community people together to exhibit their farm produce, artistic work, sportsmanship, cultural performances among others. This promotes community spirit, fellowship and cultural preservation.

 

 

Women Empowerment and Entrepreneurship

 

Traditionally, the Maasai women are relegated to domestic chores. This group is culturally marginalized and do not participate in decision making.

 

SIMOO identify women as strategic stakeholders in change and development. It there strives to empower them economically and education wise. In this breath, various women groups have been initiated.

 

This includes:

 

Oloirien Women Group – This group is involved in the development of handcrafts/beaded jewelry for export. It is at the moment involved with the exportation of beaded hair band, a product called ‘Hairzing’ to the US market. The group is at the same time developing other products for various markets. One other product at an advanced stage is beaded dog collars to be exported to the United Kingdom. These enterprises generate income that boosts the economic status of the women which directly translates to improved nutrition, and social wellbeing.

 

Maasai Women and Education Program – The group, besides being involved in education and training of its members is also actively involved in entrepreneurship. It runs a dairy shop which is an outlet of the many litters of milk produced by the Maasai cows. The shop is situated at the urban town of Ngong Hills.

 

 

Lobbying and Advocacy

 

SIMOO has been actively involved in championing for the community rights both at the local, regional and international fora. At the local level, the organization has been involved in the initiation of an umbrella advocacy organization called Maasai Civil Society Forum (MCSF). This has been advocating for the plight of the Maasai especially on land rights, historical injustices and policy issues.

 

At the regional level, the organization was represented by Daniel Salau Rogei at the African roundtable discussions on Convention on Biological Diversity in regard to protected Areas, held at Capetown, South Africa on July 2007.

 

Last year, the organization nominated Susan Naserian Nkitoria and Daniel Salau Rogei  to represent the community at the UN 6^th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held at New York USA on 16^th-27^th 2007.

 

In September 2007, Daniel Salau also took part in the 60^th Session of DCIP/NGO conference on Climate Change held at New York USA, where he made a presentation.

 

 

Education

 

The Maasai lags behind in formal education, a fact that has made them more marginalized from the mainstream society.

 

Education in Kenya is not free except for Primary Education which is more of cost sharing. The government provides teachers but the parents meet the cost of other supplies such as uniform.

 

Secondary education is however met by parents and so is that of colleges.

SIMOO has been supporting the education program for needy kids in primary, secondary and also provide scholarships for colleges.

 

Last year SIMOO in conjunction with its partners supported 79 kids for the elementary/primary school and 70 for high school.

 

The beneficiaries at the college and universities are 10 students. The two of them have since graduated.