Maasai Pastoralists Development Organization (MPDO – LARETO)

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Maasai Pastoralists Development Organization (MPDO – LARETO) is a Non-governmental Organization formed in 2002 and formally registered in 2005 under the Ministry of Home Affairs with registration No. 13284. More recently there has been an updated registration compliance No.01NGO/0008829 The organization was formed with the objective of facilitating community development initiatives through capacity building and awareness creation in all sectors of development within the Arusha region (both at the district and village level). LARETO is a Maasai word which means “community self-help”. The organization was formed after the realization that Maasai agro-pastoral communities were lagging behind and were often marginalized with respect to socio, economic, cultural and political factors when compared to other groups in Tanzania.

Vision
We envision thriving and sustainable agro-pastoral communities with sustainable management of resources and improved socio-economic conditions.

Mission
Assisting agro-pastoral communities through effective capacity development, empowerment, education, and natural resource management.

Strategic Considerations:
• Social Inclusion and Gender Rights
• Human Rights
• Climate Change
• Sustainable Development
• Human Health and Well-being

Strategic objectives:
• To reduce poverty and diversify means of livelihoods of agro-pastoral communities through education, building skills, empowerment and interventions.
• To provide education and training on natural resource management, environmental protection, as well as on adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
• To enhance, develop, and promote sustainable agriculture, land use practices and associated rights among agro-pastoral communities.
• To promote the preservation of pastoralists’ culture while supporting the advancement of the rights and needs of marginalized women and youth.
• To create and support strong and mutually beneficial partnerships among communities, governments and organizations with our shared interests.
• To respect, utilize and build upon traditional knowledge that has been developed, sustained and passed on from generation to generation within the community

Strategic Focus:
Sustainable Land Use and Resource Management:
• Training on adaptation to climate change.
• Environmental conservation, training and establishment of tree nurseries.
• Promotion of pastoralists grazing rotation in rangelands.
Economic Empowerment & Livelihoods:
• Engagement of pastoral women and youth in cultural tourism.
• Promoting gender equality on resources use and management.
• Alternative income generating activities for pastoral women and youth.
Education & Advocacy:
• Training on land use and rights and land management policies
• School infrastructure improvement; Noosuyan and Orkisima Pre-School Education Program
• Reproductive health and nutrition training; Supply of Deworming in Masai Community
• Promotion of cooperation between communities and local government authorities on human rights issues.
Lebaraka Laizer is the Executive Director of Maasai Pastoralist Development Organization-Lareto (MPDO – LARETO).

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