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Brilliant 4.72rating (254)

Maasai Mara Womens Empowerment

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Truly unique experience living as one of the Maasai tribes people
  • Interact and share your stories and ideas with the local community
  • Gain valuable insight into local culture & traditions in a beautiful landscape

Highlights

  • Truly unique experience living as one of the Maasai tribes people
  • Interact and share your stories and ideas with the local community
  • Gain valuable insight into local culture & traditions in a beautiful landscape
  • Through guidence and education, teach the women on how to best protect their income so they can financially support themselves
  • Ensure Maasai women have the knowledge to use their income generating activities to cover costs for their children, such as pens, exercise books, food and security

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    The primary focus is on the development of basic skills and financial literacy among the local women, who are learning how they can earn funds to support themselves.

    Overview

    The Maasai people are a massively symbolic tribe, known for their large amounts of jewellery and colourful clothing. They have a traditional dressing style, traditions and way of life, dating back centuries. Their unique dress is locally known as Shuka in Swahili and comes in various ...

    About the program

    Overview

    The Maasai people are a massively symbolic tribe, known for their large amounts of jewellery and colourful clothing. They have a traditional dressing style, traditions and way of life, dating back centuries. Their unique dress is locally known as Shuka in Swahili and comes in various different colours. The majority of Maasai in Tanzania and Kenya have lived a life of poverty and cultural oppression. Men have the all control, being the heads of the households and the village. They have say in almost every aspect of life and occupy almost all the leadership roles.

    Maasai women do make an income through selling their traditional beaded jewellery. However, due to their vulnerability and a lack of education, the women do not have an organised way of protecting their hard-earned finances. This is the area where you can massively support the Maasai women, in teaching them informative and helpful ways in order to protect and save their earnings.

    The women from Maasai tribes work hard every day milking cows, taking care of calves, and domestic work and looking after the children. This daily work is the priority in the Maasai tribe and there is much less emphasis on education and community engagement, which would allow women to have more options for a sustainable future.

    The majority of the women in the village do not speak English, to help, you will be supervised by a local and trained coordinator. This ensures much easier communication between the women and yourself. The main aim of this project is to enable Maasai women to prepare for their future and give them the skills and confidence to do so.

    Due to this project’s remote location and limited local transportation, volunteers may need to stay the first night in Monduli and travel to the village the following morning. Volunteer placements are available in a Maasai village in Arusha, but to increase immersion you may volunteer across various villages.

    Location

    Moita is a charming village located about 32km away from the bustling city of Arusha. The journey from Arusha to Moita takes you on a scenic route, passing through smaller towns along the way and offering glimpses of rural Tanzanian life and the natural beauty of the region.

    Additionally, Moita is situated about 36km away from Monduli town, which serves as the district’s administrative centre. This proximity allows visitors to easily access amenities and services while still savoring the peacefulness and cultural richness that Moita has to offer. The land area surrounding Moita boasts rugged terrain adorned with lush grasses, bushes, and trees, adding to the allure of the adventure and showcasing the raw beauty of Tanzania’s natural landscape.

    Project Tasks
    • To ensure Maasai women have the knowledge to use their income generating activities to cover costs for their children, such as pens, exercise books, food and security.
    • Assist and encourage the women to contribute to their community development through their active participation.
    • Find and provide solutions to the challenges faced by the women.
    • To encourage women to send their children to school and educate them in the prevention of early marriage.
    • To run workshops on how to save money, loans and basic financial advice for the women.

    Typical day

    Monday to Friday - 4-6 hours a day
    • 8am - Breakfast
    • 9am - Meet the Women of the group and provide insight into healthy measures to cater for their children and themselves
    • 9am-12pm - Discuss sustainable projects with the Maasai women to be financially independent
    • Lunch
    • 1pm -Discuss the  importance of ...

    Typical day

    Monday to Friday - 4-6 hours a day
    • 8am - Breakfast
    • 9am - Meet the Women of the group and provide insight into healthy measures to cater for their children and themselves
    • 9am-12pm - Discuss sustainable projects with the Maasai women to be financially independent
    • Lunch
    • 1pm -Discuss the  importance of education with the Maasai women
    • 2-3pm - Engage with the women in different ways of mobilizing their own resources (Table Banking and Saving Strategies)
    • 6pm - Dinner

    ***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***

    ***Please keep in mind that in the village, things are done on an as-needed basis. This is just an example of what your week might look like during your homestay, but activities may change depending on weather, community needs, ceremonies, or other circumstances. Your flexibility and ability to adapt to changes in your new surroundings will be of great benefit during this amazing experience.***

    *Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience. 



    Free-time activities

    Serengeti National Park
    Another one for your bucket list and a perfect way to spend your weekend off. The Serengeti is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the big 5 (lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo & elephant). You will also find zebra, wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, baboons, hyenas, ostriches ...

    Free-time activities

    Serengeti National Park
    Another one for your bucket list and a perfect way to spend your weekend off. The Serengeti is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the big 5 (lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo & elephant). You will also find zebra, wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, baboons, hyenas, ostriches and many more incredible animals. The best way to explore is by camping out in the open or in one of the many lodges. The area is huge, and we recommend at least 2 days here.

    Moshi and Mount Kilimanjaro
    Moshi is about a two and half hour drive from Monduli and can be easily reached using a “dala dala” or taxi to Arusha and then changing again onto Moshi from there. Moshi is a quiet town with several Western cafes and coffee shops. It is also the closest town to the starting point of the Mount Kilimanjaro trek. On a clear day, you can get excellent views of Kilimanjaro right from the roadside (Tip: Moshi Train Station, which is no longer is use, has fantastic views of Africa’s highest mountain, with locals selling drinks and snacks up the top).

    Arusha National Park and Mount Meru
    Mount Meru is located in Arusha National Park and is the second largest mountain in Tanzania. If you’re looking to Climb Kilimanjaro ,then Mt Meru can be a great acclimatisation trek, taking you through various types of vegetation. There are also scenic trails around the mountain at ground level. Other attractions include Meru Crater, the Jekukumia River, Ngurdoto Crater and the Momelia Lakes which are known to change colour! You might even find wildlife here including giraffes, warthogs, cape buffaloes, lions, elephants, flamingos and more.

    Lake Manyara National Park
    If you love bird watching, then head to Lake Manyara during the dry season where pink flamingos flock to the vast lake. During wet season see if you can spot the lions, leopards, hippos, giraffes, zebras, elephants, blue monkeys, gazelles and cheetahs roaming the park.

    Kikuletwa Hot Springs
    A somewhat ‘secret’ pool of clear blue water, situated in between Arusha and Moshi is the Kikuletwa Hot Springs. The water isn’t actually hot but totally refreshing after the dusty drive getting there. Enjoyed by tourists and locals, this is a beautiful spot for relaxing and swimming in the crystal clear water, surrounded by jungle. There’s even a rope swing into the water for more fun and games. If this wasn’t on your list before, it should be now.

    Arusha
    Just over an hour’s drive from Monduli, Arusha is a large city in Tanzania which has many Western style eateries, a cinema, Maasai markets, shopping malls, supermarkets and a cultural centre. There are a lot of things to do here and a great way to spend your weekend. Close to the Serengeti, Arusha is a popular starting destination for wildlife safari tours.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Program fees include:
    • Accommodation
    • 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
    • Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
    • Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
    • 1 day orientation
    • Daily transportation to project
    • In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
    • Fundraising support
    • University course credits (where applicable)
    • Certificate of Completion

    Airport Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport

    Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

    A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport, between 6am to 6pm on Saturday or Sunday. If arriving on Saturday, an extra night is charged. 

    If arriving outside of the pickup times, we charge an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another fee for a private transfer.

    Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

    From Kilimanjaro airport to the Monduli accommodation, it takes 2-2.5 hours by car. From Arusha airport to the Monduli accommodation, it takes 40-50 mins by car. From Monduli to Moita is takes 1-1.5 hours by car. 

    For Maasai projects: Due to the remote location of this program and limited local transportation, volunteers will stay the first night in Monduli and travel the next day to the village. 

    Accommodation

    During your stay in the Maasai Village in Moita, Arusha, you'll be accommodated in a very basic, simple, and traditional setting, which adds to the authenticity of your experience. For instance, you may find traditional squat-style flush toilets in use, and at times, showers may require heating the water manually using bucket-style arrangements. There will be 4-6 people sharing a room. 

    It's important to note that the village operates without access to electricity. However, the resourceful Maasai people have adopted solar power to some extent, though with limited capacity and availability. As a result, you may not have the convenience of charging your mobile phones or electronic gadgets directly. To address this, it's recommended that you bring power banks, and the local staff will assist you by periodically charging your power banks in the city.

    Additionally, it's essential to be aware that mobile signal reception is scarce in the village. The best mobile connection you may find is with "Halotel," which provides good 2G (EDGE) reception and a faint 4G/3G signal for internet-based communication apps. This limited connectivity presents an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and fully immerse yourself in the genuine Maasai culture and surroundings.

    Food & Beverages

    You will be provided 3 meals per day on the weekdays, and 2 meals per day on weekends.

    Meals are usually in the local cuisine and consist of a lot of corn, rice, potatoes, and bananas. Beef, goat meat, beans, and a few green leafy vegetables make up your daily nutritional meals. There are no shops within walking distance, so if you are a picky eater or have certain food requirements then we advise you to pick up supplies from Monduli or Arusha. Just be aware that there is no refrigeration available.
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Internet Access

    Sorry, no access at the project site

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Kilimanjaro. We assist you to find cheap flights to Tanzania. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Tanzania provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Tanzania you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Tanzania. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Program starts every Monday. Arrivals on Sat/ Sun. If arriving on Sat, an extra night is charged.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $717 per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
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    Meet your project coordinator

    Lauren
    254
    reviews
    4.72
    Brilliant
    1989
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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