ENCO is a charitable, not-for-profit, Tanzania registered non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the livelihoods and well-being of vulnerable women and children of rural Maasai communities through health, education, and economic empowerment programs. Engaruka was founded in 2016 and operates in the Arusha region of Tanzania, particularly in Monduli, Ngorongoro and Longido districts. Though we focus primarily on women and children, we recognize that educating men is necessary for the well-being and empowerment of women and children. Consequently, we also provide educational services to men.
Mission: ENCO provides health, education, and economic empowerment services and programs to improve the lives of vulnerable women and children in rural Maasai communities.
Vision: Healthy, educated, gender equitable, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable Maasai communities in Tanzania.
Martha is Maasai and obtained her B.S. in Sociology from the Catholic Univ. of Eastern Africa, Nairobi. She worked for the Maasai Women Development Organization (MWEDO) for 8 years as the Education Program Officer and Program Manager. At MWEDO she coordinated scholarships for more than 500 pastoralist girls, coordinated the MWEDO girl’s secondary school, and managed an adult literacy program for 6000+ women. After leaving MWEDO in 2016, Martha established ENCO and Engaruka English Medium Primary School (EEMPS). Martha also serves as the Manager of EEMPS and the liaison to the Maasai Education Foundation.
Monduli, Ngorongoro, and Longido districts of the Arusha region of Tanzania.
In pastoralist Maasai communities of the Monduli, Ngorongoro and Longido districts, illiteracy rates are approximately 75% and women are the worst affected. School attendance rates are very low compared to the national average and only 30% of girls attend secondary school. Girls are more likely to drop out at the transition from primary to secondary school when many are forced into marriage. Another barrier to education is distance to schools. The pastoral Maasai require significant land resources to graze their cattle and their villages are constructed far apart. As a result, children may need to walk 15 to 20 km to the closest primary school and this is not feasible for many children. For these children, primary schools with boarding facilities are essential.
Improve the health of vulnerable women and children in remote Maasai communities through the delivery of health services and health education programs.The Maasai community culture often involves migration over large distances in search of livestock pastures. This way of life creates challenges for accessing proper health care. Poor road infrastructure also limits travel to access health care.
Reduce poverty by improving the economic status of vulnerable women through income generating programs.
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