EhNkishon is a Community Based Organization (CBO) officially registered in Kenya. Working in the Laikipia region, we support Maasai women and their families in creating better opportunities for themselves and future generations.
Women are at the heart of Maasai communities. They care for their families, raise their children, prepare food, collect water and firewood, and help care for the livestock. Despite carrying many of these responsibilities, they often have limited opportunities to earn an independent income.
Since 2012, our microloan programme has helped women start small businesses with loans of as little as €100. These businesses include small village shops selling everyday essentials such as flour, sugar, tea and salt, tailoring services, the production and sale of traditional Maasai jewellery, and goat farming for milk production.
A small investment can make a remarkable difference. The income earned allows women to pay school fees, buy food, access healthcare and invest in a more secure future for their children.
Our programme is based on the proven principles of microfinance pioneered by Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank. Thanks to the commitment and determination of the women involved, more than 99% of all loans have been successfully repaid.
Education is another important part of our work. We currently provide scholarships that enable eight young people to attend colleges and universities in Kenya, giving them the opportunity to build careers that benefit both themselves and their communities.
Healthcare remains a major challenge in many remote areas. In 2019, we purchased a second-hand Suzuki Escudo to transport people to hospital in medical emergencies. Before that, seriously ill patients often had to be transported on the back of a motorcycle, sometimes over long distances.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we supplied soap and hygiene materials to families and organised basic hygiene education. For many people, these simple resources were difficult to obtain, yet they played an essential role in protecting the health of the community.
For generations, Maasai communities have often had limited access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. We believe that lasting change starts by working together with local people, respecting their culture and supporting initiatives that come from within the community itself.
Every contribution, no matter how small, helps create opportunities. Together we can empower families, invest in education, improve access to healthcare and support a future in which Maasai communities can thrive on their own terms.
Your support can make that difference.
