As the Naretoi Project, our mission is to create lasting change in the Maasai community—and it begins with trees. We chose to start planting trees because we saw the devastating impact of deforestation all around us. Forests were vanishing, the land was drying up, and climate change was hitting our people harder every year. With no trees, the soil erodes, animals lose their homes, and the future of our community becomes more uncertain.

Our goal is to restore balance by rebuilding the natural environment and empowering our people to take part in the process. Many in our community have limited access to education and opportunities, especially during times of drought. That’s why we focus not only on planting trees, but on training and teaching—helping people understand how a single tree can change everything.

By planting trees, we’re fighting climate change, protecting Maasai land, and creating hope. We're building awareness, restoring wildlife habitats, and inspiring our community to care for the earth—our shared home. This is more than an environmental project. It's a movement to protect our heritage, sustain our families, and grow a greener future for the next generation.

Many Maasai girls are still unable to attend school—mainly because their families can’t afford it, and because schools are often far from their villages. At the Naretoi Project, we’re working to change that.

We focus on supporting young girls whose parents don’t have the means to send them to school. In some parts of the Maasai community, there’s still a strong belief that educating girls is a loss—because once they grow up, they’ll marry into another family and won’t return to help their own. But we believe differently.

We believe every child—boy or girl—has the right to learn, to dream, and to build a better future. Educating girls doesn’t take away from the community; it strengthens it. Through education, we can break the cycle of poverty, uplift families, and bring long-term change to our people.

Naretoi is here to open doors for girls who have been left behind. Because when you educate a girl, you educate a whole community.

At Naretoi, we are committed to educating the Maasai community about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)—locally known as Emurata, or "Intoye," meaning female circumcision.

Since childhood, we’ve grown up hearing this term passed down through generations, deeply rooted in tradition. Emurata has been practiced since the 15th century, based on the belief that circumcising women reduces prostitution and increases a girl's value in society. Today, many still believe that an uncircumcised woman is unclean, unworthy of marriage, and not respected within the community.

But what many don’t see are the real consequences—the pain, the trauma, and the loss. We have witnessed women suffer. Many girls bleed excessively. Some lose their lives. Others grow up with lifelong health problems, especially during childbirth, caused by the removal of the clitoris and other complications from unsafe procedures.

These girls often have no voice. They are not allowed to make choices about their own bodies. They are discriminated against if they refuse. And the Engamuratani—the traditional woman who performs the procedure—uses the same unclean razor on many girls without any medical safety, leading to infections and the spread of disease.

At Naretoi, we started raising awareness in 2015. We speak out. We listen to survivors. We create safe spaces for girls to learn, grow, and protect each other. We educate families and elders. We push for change—not to erase tradition, but to protect life, dignity, and future.

FGM has no health benefits. According to the World Health Organization, over 200 million women and girls around the world have been cut—and millions more remain at risk. Most are under 15 years old. We believe this must end. Every girl has the right to live free from harm. Every girl deserves to own her body. Every girl matters.

At the Naretoi Project, we believe farming is more than just a way to earn income—it is a pathway to self-reliance, food security, and dignity for the Maasai community.

Traditionally, the Maasai have been pastoralists, known for their deep connection to livestock. Cattle, goats, and sheep are not just sources of income—they are part of our identity and culture. But in today’s world, relying solely on livestock is becoming increasingly difficult. Unpredictable weather patterns, prolonged droughts, and shrinking grazing lands caused by climate change have made it harder for families to survive through livestock alone.

That is why Naretoi is supporting a shift—encouraging families to also embrace sustainable farming. By growing crops alongside raising livestock, families gain a more reliable and diverse source of income. After harvest, they can sell their produce at local markets, feed their families, and even store food for dry seasons. When livestock face challenges—such as disease outbreaks or lack of pasture—farming offers a safety net.

We are working closely with community members to teach better farming practices, from land preparation and irrigation methods to soil conservation and climate-smart agriculture. We encourage the use of organic compost, crop rotation, and planting trees around farms to enrich the soil and protect the environment.

Through our farming project, women and youth especially benefit. Women gain access to land, tools, and training, giving them the opportunity to provide for their families and contribute to household decisions. Young people learn practical skills and see farming not as a burden, but as a future full of possibilities.

Farming in the Maasai community is no longer just about surviving—it’s about thriving. With the right support and knowledge, we believe our people can build a greener, more resilient future. Naretoi is here to grow that future—with seeds of hope, soil of tradition, and the sunlight of change.