Protecting Umoja: A Village of Women

The village of Umoja, Kenya was established as a safe space for indigenous Samburu women who were cast out of their homes after being raped. As a model to the world, these women asserted their independence in one of the most fundamental ways possible – creating a self-sustaining community that is based on supporting and fostering the well-being of its women and children. However, the women and their families share their surroundings with an assortment of wild animals such as hyenas, which occasionally attack the community and their livestock. MADRE supports the women with various economic development projects in Umoja, including a livestock management program, and these attacks pose a threat to the village’s security and income-generating efforts. In order to protect the lives of the women and children, as well as boost the community’s economic livelihood, MADRE has partnered with Umoja Uaso Women’s Group to build a fence around the village. With the help of our generous donors, MADRE was able to donate money to the Umoja fence project. The women in Umoja have begun the construction of a fence around the community. Future contributions will ensure the long-term maintenance of the fence, as well as other measures to provide safety to the Samburu women and children of Umoja.