Rainwater harvesting

By digging earth smiles

The Maasai community has dug an impressive 116,248 (!) semi-circular rainwater bunds. These bunds capture rain which would otherwise wash away over the dry and barren soil. The rain water is slowed down and stored temporarily behind the bund, enabling the water to infiltrate the soil. Seeds which were still present in the soil have started to grow and re-green the bunds and also the spaces in between. And further destructive erosion by gullies is prevented and even reversed.

Grass seed banks

Generating income through re-greening

Maasai women initiated and manage grass seed banks, now generate income through re-greening! The grass seed banks are located in one of the most extremely degraded areas near one of the domas (small settlements), and the difference with the surrounding area is enormous. Grass is almost completely covering the fenced area already, resulting in an oasis of green in barren surroundings. Insects and small animals are returning, enabling a recovery of the ecosystem extending mere vegetation recovery. The Maasai women harvest seeds and grass as a source of income, selling them at local markets and for further restoration projects.

Grazing Management

To prevent overgrazing and feed the cattle

The sustainability of the projects is being established through a pasture grazing management plan. The community and our local partners work together to prevent further overgrazing. Through a community awareness and mobilization program, involvement of and understanding by the local community is ensured.

The results of the project are so convincing, requests for extension of the projects are made by both communities and other NGO’s in the region.

Community rangers guard the restoration areas and surrounding lands to prevent deforestation, charcoal burning and illegal water extraction. In 6 months time they have covered over 3,700 kilometers in the project areas.