Maasai Women's Self-Help Group Project Summary

Naisosian, Tanzania

Introduction

In the maasai culture, a girl's dowry may be as much as $3,000. If there is no marriage, the girl must find a way to support herself. Many of them end up in abusive employment situations. In her Il Boru neighborhood of Arusha, Tanzania, Gloria Sandilen noticed this. For this reason, she founded Naisosian, a maasai word that means "action" and began sewing classes for the women.

History

Naisosion is an organization founded in 1997 by Gloria Sandilen to provide abused and abandoned women in Arusha, Tanzania a way to earn a living wage. Gloria and other women of her I1 Boru church met women who were: unable to earn a living in ill paying jobs, being abused by their employers or husbands, or forced into prostitution by their families (or by circumstance). They had no skills, and therefore no way to escape.

Gloria began sewing classes for these women. With this skill, the women could set up small shops outside their homes, or in the marketplace; this new trade would allow these women to earn enough money to support themselves and their children.

Generous donations from Harambee and others have enabled Naisosion to grow into a thriving organization in Arusha. Sewing machines and enough cloth to begin a business have been provided for over 65 women. This has given them income, self respect, and independence.

Current Work

In the Fall of 2006, 5 women graduated from the program. Upon graduation, each woman was presented with her own sewing machine to begin her small business.

The project is growing and Gloria has been able to distribute 65 sewing machines to date. Additional funds are being raised for a possible land purchase to expand the project's facilities.

Generous donations from Harambee and others have enabled Naisosion to grow into a thriving organization in Arusha.

Harambee Centre
P.O. Box 6617
Portland, Oregon 97228-6617 USA
Telephone: (503) 710-8264
info@harambeecentre.org