Background & History
The Challenges facing the elderly Maasai
In recent years, the Maasai community has faced multiple challenges that have significantly impacted their way of life.
Voting at the Protest in August 2024
2021-2022 brought severe drought, resulting in substantial losses of livestock.
Natural and political challenges
The years 2021-2022 brought severe drought, resulting in substantial losses of livestock, grazing lands, and access to water. This forced them to travel longer distances in search of water and alternative sources of food. Concurrently, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent movement restrictions further constrained their livelihoods.
Additionally, the Maasai have been grappling with shrinking pastoral lands due to government acquisition and land sales for large-scale tourism projects.
Medical challenges
Compounding these issues, medical facilities in the region have reduced their services, necessitating even longer journeys for emergency medical care. For those without access to vehicles, transporting a patient on a stretcher requires a strenuous journey of several hours, day or night. Individuals with severe illnesses or physical disabilities rely heavily on others for basic needs such as toileting, feeding, washing, and shelter. Furthermore, the community lacks communal gathering spaces and activities to occupy their days.
Addressing these pressing needs, the Maasai urgently require essentials like first aid supplies, insecticides, gloves, and masks to mitigate health risks and improve their quality of life.
Reduced medical facilities necessitate longer journeys for emergency medical care.
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