In collaboration with the Global Fund for Widows, the International Collaborative established 19 Widow's Groups.

The outstanding International Collaborative Organizing Team made regular visits to their weekly meetings.The women thrived. They received the benefits of the supportive group itself and garnered new respect from all in their village, including the men.

Most importantly, they achieved some independence in the midst of a patriarchal society, with income of their own.

In a polygamous, patriarchal society, whether widowed or not, all women need this supportive, successful, and empowering opportunity.

The women of Monduli, Longido and Ngorongoro districts were watching. And the unanimous verdict was in.  

The story from Mfereji is a wonderful example

Women need power and independence arising from joining together for mutual support and collective business

Mfereji is in the valley to the north of Monduli Mountain, south of the Kenyan border. It is very isolated and impoverished and not near the busy tourist pathways along which many Maasai live.

In March a delegation of women who had seen what was happening in Losirwa and Mti Moja and other villages with organized widows, came to us and wanted to explore how to become involved.

We asked them to start gathering the capital for a collective livestock business and we would join them.

They formed three groups of 30 women each. And instead of funds, each of the women brought one goat. How did they get the goats?

The men of the village felt that what was coming was going to be good for the women and the village. The women’s husbands, friends, and village leaders provided the women with the goats.

Now it is the end of July and the goats are fat and healthy and will be sold this week. Each group will get a price of about $1,400 for their 30 goats.

And we are joining them and welcoming them into our community of 35 women’s groups.

We will give each group a grant of $900 to add to their capital from the goat sales. So their capital for buying new small goats in November will be about $2,300.

We will help then get registered as a community organization with the district government so they will be eligible for loans and help. Our organizing team will start making regular visits.

The three groups have decided to open an account at a commercial bank. They want to keep their livestock business capital out of the village to guarantee its special status and keep it from being dissipated through use for everyday needs.

We joined together this week in a special celebration. We share these photos here to give you a glimpse of how wonderful this can be for the people.

We can’t predict. But as long as life is like it is for rural people in a changing climate, it is actions like these, supported by people like you, that makes life better.