The first ranked team, the communities of women of different Maasai, works for the protection of wild animals, Hand-in-Hand with the male colleagues. The women earn for the first time a private income.
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Kenya: The rank of the interior of the Maasai
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Kenya: The rank of the interior of the Maasai
The objective of the project: the protection of wild animals in one of the most species-rich regions in Kenya
Implementation: The Team Lioness is one of the first female Ranger units in Kenya. The “lionesses,” as the German Translation of the team name is, were recruited from the surrounding Maasai communities. Now you have joined a group of 68 male colleagues, in order to protect wild animals on the common traditional Maasai Land in the Region of Amboseli-Tsavo-Kilimanjaro
Project area: The Olulugului-Olareshi Group Ranch (OOGR) in Kenya and the surrounding area. The area is traditionally Maasai Land
Project size: The natural and animal welfare organisation IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) pays salaries and provides accommodation, catering and equipment for 76 Ranger, the from the surrounding municipalities of the OOGR were recruited. Eight belong to the Team Lioness
Budget: 17.900 – 26.800 Euro (20.000 – 30.000 US-Dollar) a year for the Team Lioness
The eight young women of Team Lioness have a different view of the wild animal protection as their male colleagues. You bring your very own skills. While young Maasai have to kill men in a certain age, a lion, to make their manhood, the women have always been for the preservation of wild animals. Nevertheless, it was for the women not at all easy to convince the influential Council of Elders, a new activity to approve. Traditionally, Maasai women are not in gainful employment. Now you are chasing poachers and protect elephants, rhinos and lions. The women have learned to read animal tracks, to analyze herd movements, and to collect data.
The project also aims at a sustainable development of the Maasai communities. The women receive a steady income, and create new Opportunities for women that previously pursued a gainful activity.
A Film by Bettina Thoma-Schade