The Ustawi Survey has led both the community in Embolioi and Ustawi Global to a deeper understanding of the strengths held within the community. It has revealed the dimensions of life in which it is possible for the community to sustain ownership of their lives that will lead them to experience empowered dignity. We feel fortunate to share the many stories of the Maasai people achieving a sense of collective flourishing, click here to learn more.

While the Ustawi Survey has led us to see the assets held within and by the Maasai, it has also revealed where there are barriers to their capacity to achieve goals named on their Life Maps. The main goal named by the people specifically living in Embolioi is easier access to clean water. During the dry season, some families reported relying on unsafe sources, increasing their exposure to waterborne illnesses, and many reported that the existing source posed a time burden on women and girls, as it could take up to four hours to collect and bring back the water for their household.

Children in my community have to walk very long distances of around 10 kilometers to access education and water.

Neema Nosim, Daughter of the Embolioi Community

We came to understand that when there is access to water, many of the other areas of poverty flagged would diminish, particularly in relation to school attendance, hygiene practices, and participation in economic activities. Therefore, improving water access to the entire community is a priority for our work with them. 

If they can get access to adequate water, it is going to be an opening, an opportunity for them to do many other things within the school.

Rose Poka, Ustawi Survey Team

What’s Next?

We are looking forward to [having] a permanent solution of water, and we are requesting our friends, they can source any funding to assist the community to have a permanent source that’s a borehole. 

Paul Ukah, Mashuuru Area Chief