Today I want to share with you a non-profit organization that I hold dear to my heart. Founded by Masai warrior Isaya Lukumay, the Warriors Organization strives to preserve the culture and traditions of the Masaii people. Traditionally nomadic, the governments of Tanzania and Kenya are trying to encourage the Maasai to live in a single location and to abandon their customs.
The current goal of the Warriors Organization is to build a community education resource center in Eluai, Tanzania. The center will be a gathering place for Indigenous Communities to share knowledge, identity, and resolve issues facing them, and document their cultures. It will also provide resources in health, education and human rights.
When Isaya was growing up in Eluai, there was no primary school. Now, Eluai is lucky to have a primary school, though many children start school without a basic level of Swahili, the language used in Tanzanian primary schools. This lack is a major factor in creating a learning deficit that many Tanzanian children never overcome. A strong preschool in the village will help to prepare students to enter primary school and succeed. It will help prepare them to pass the test they need to take to get into secondary school. Education, as they see it, is the key to freedom. With a solid educational background and a strong sense of self and identity, the Maasai, along with other indigenous peoples of Tanzania (and throughout the world) will be able to help their communities develop with intention, according to their own unique visions.
Their goal is to raise enough money to build a two-room schoolhouse that will accommodate up to 40 pupils in each room. Children aged five to fourteen will be able to attend this school for a year or two in preparation for primary school.
The organization plans to make this school as sustainable as possible, including the community in the planning, building and maintenance. They are thrilled to embark upon this very exciting project…AND they need your help to make it happen.
To show your support you can send donations to: The Warriors Organization, P.O. Box 985, Watertown, MA 02471 or donate through their website.
There are many ways to help out in addition to financial contributions, including advice, feedback, telling your friends about this project, hosting fundraisers, etc. Feel free to contact the organization directly at [email protected].
Michele Christle says
Hi Kelly!
Thanks so much for posting this for us! We really appreciate you helping to get the word out.
I also wonder if you have seen the recent update on this project that was in Cultural Survival magazine. If not, you can find it here: http://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/running-maasai-education
Again, thank you for your support and for helping this story to get out to more readers! We’re still trying to reach our goal(s), and the education project is our priority right now.
All best,
Michele