Empowered women empower communities.
The Maasai people and their extraordinary culture have profoundly shaped who I am. Their strength, resilience, and deep sense of community - along with a profound wisdom about living fully in the present - have inspired me in every area of my life. Spending time in Maasai villages, sharing meals, participating in celebrations, and learning their traditions has been a life-changing experience, filling me with admiration, love, and respect.
I am deeply committed to honoring and preserving this vibrant culture, which is increasingly threatened by political changes, global developments, and modern technology. My goal is to ensure that the Maasai way of life endures, while supporting Maasai women and children to thrive safely, freely, and with the opportunity to choose their own path.
EmpowerHer - Maasai Women and Girls
The goal of EmpowerHer is to empower Maasai women and girls to choose their own path without undergoing female circumcision, while preserving and celebrating their rich cultural heritage.
Together with my Maasai friends Simon (Founder of the Nadumu Maasai Womens Organization) and Neema and Dr. Doris Pieber, we focus on education, health resources, and economic training - all designed to create sustainable, community-led change. By combining deep cultural understanding with practical solutions, we aim to foster resilience, independence, and lasting empowerment.
EmpowerHer Program: Steps Toward Sustainable Change
Depending on the fundraising and support we receive, the EmpowerHer program is designed to create practical, culturally sensitive, and long-lasting impact for Maasai women and girls:
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Sewing and Entrepreneurship
We will teach women and girls to sew reusable sanitary pads as well as other products they can sell - not only for their own use, but also as a potential source of income. This step empowers them to address personal health needs while fostering economic independence. -
Educational Groups
We aim to build community-based learning groups where Maasai women and girls can study English, read and write, mathematics, and basic business skills. This includes practical lessons in contracts, product sales, agriculture, cooking, and other skills that help preserve Maasai traditions while creating pathways toward financial independence. To ensure cultural respect and continuity, we actively involve elders and incorporate teachings about Maasai heritage that are at risk of being forgotten by younger generations, fostering alternative rites and solutions in place of FGM. -
Health Education
Workshops will provide knowledge about female health, menstruation, reproductive health, and the risks of FGM. Our goal is to empower women and girls with information to make safe, informed choices about their bodies and futures. -
Safe Shelters for Girls
We plan to establish safe spaces where girls at risk of circumcision can seek refuge. Here, they will receive education, mentorship, and support to build a happy, independent, and fulfilled life.
At EmpowerHer, we deeply respect Maasai traditions and understand that meaningful, lasting change can only come from within the community. We do not impose solutions - instead, we collaborate with Maasai elders, women, and youth to co-create approaches that honor their heritage while protecting women and girls.
One of the most sacred rites in Maasai culture, the transition from childhood to adulthood, involves enduring pain and demonstrating emotional strength - a practice known as Eunoto. For men, this rite fosters resilience and prepares them to face life’s challenges, from defending livestock to navigating the wilderness. Its purpose within the culture is profound, shaping character, courage, and endurance. For women, however, the traditional practice of female circumcision carries physical and emotional risks.
Our mission is not to erase these rituals, but to work alongside the Maasai to explore alternatives that maintain the values of resilience, courage, and cultural identity without harming girls. By understanding the reasons behind these rites and honoring the wisdom embedded in them, EmpowerHer seeks culturally respectful solutions that empower the next generation, safeguard health, and preserve the integrity of Maasai heritage.
Who Are the Maasai?
The Maasai are a semi-nomadic ethnic group in East Africa, primarily living in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya.
Known for their striking red clothing, intricate beadwork, and close connection to nature, the Maasai have preserved their traditions and cultural identity for centuries. Their society is deeply rooted in communal values, respect for elders, and sustainable livestock herding, which has shaped their way of life for generations.
The Maasai are also renowned for their resilience, courage, and deep knowledge of the land. Traditional rites of passage, like Eunoto, reflect the community’s emphasis on strength, endurance, and emotional discipline. Despite facing modern pressures, including land disputes, climate change, and globalization, the Maasai remain committed to preserving their culture, language, and traditions.
Meet Simon and his Organization – EmpowerHer Partner
Simon Molell is the founder of the Nadumu Maasai Women’s Organization, established in 2021 to improve the lives of Maasai women and girls and strengthen their rights. Growing up, Simon witnessed firsthand the daily challenges faced by women in his community, including lack of property rights, early and forced marriages, violence, and the harmful practice of FGM.
These experiences inspired Simon to create change. His vision is a future where women have equal opportunities, a voice in their communities, and the ability to live empowered, independent lives. Through EmpowerHer, Simon’s organization collaborates closely with our initiatives to provide education, health resources, and sustainable opportunities - all while honoring Maasai culture and traditions.
Meet the EmopwerHer Team
Simon Molell
Simon Molell is the founder of the Nadumu Maasai Women's Organization and leads the EmpowerHer project in Tanzania. As a Maasai from Monduli, he is intimately familiar with the challenges facing his community and is passionate about women's rights, education, and protection from FGM. Simon coordinates implementation on the ground and ensures that sustainable solutions emerge from the community.
Neema Sepuke
Neema Sepuke is an English teacher, women's rights activist, and project manager of the EmpowerHer program in the Bagamoyo area. As one of the few divorced Maasai women, she has fought for her own independence and is now passionately committed to empowering women and girls in her community. Neema organizes workshops on women's health and economic independence and is an important voice for local change.
Dr. Doris Pieber
Dr. Doris Pieber is an experienced and compassionate gynecologist from Graz with a deep passion for women's health and rights. She has already gained valuable experience working on a health project in Kenya. For EmpowerHer, Doris not only contributes her medical knowledge but also actively supports fundraising activities. She also plans to lead on-site workshops on topics such as women's health, family planning, and the prevention of FGM to empower women and promote sustainable change.
Silvia Resnik
Silvia Resnik is an entrepreneur, women's coach, and deeply connected to the Maasai community. Her travels to Tanzania and life with the Maasai have had a lasting impact on her. Particularly impressed by their culture and sense of community, Silvia is passionate about making a contribution that truly makes a difference. As cocreator of EmpowerHer, she is dedicated to fundraising, organizing, and supporting local workshops.
Support EmpowerHer and Make a Real Difference
We cannot create lasting change alone - only together we are strong!
EmpowerHer is currently in the fundraising phase, and we need your support to bring our vision to life.
With your help, we can sustainably transform the lives of Maasai women and children while preserving their rich cultural heritage. Every contribution is handled with care and transparency.
There are many ways to make an impact:
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Donate – Every donation supports education, skills training, workshops, and safe shelters for girls at risk
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Volunteer on-site – Teach in Maasai bomas, share skills like sewing, crafts, or business, or assist with health and education initiatives
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Support behind the scenes – Contribute with marketing, organization, and project coordination to maximize our impact.
Sign up with your email, and every six months you’ll receive a detailed report showing exactly how your support is used and the progress we’ve achieved. I’ll also share stories and updates from the field on my Blog, so you can follow milestones and important developments.
If you’re interested in collaborating or have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Thank you for joining us on this meaningful journey. Together, we can create a safe, empowered, and culturally thriving future for Maasai women and girls.
Donation account
Account at REVOLUT Bank in the name of:
Silvia Resnik
IBAN: LT29 3250 0722 4068 6400
Ashe Naleng (Maa for Thank you!)