Maasai Integrated Shelter Project

This project was created to support the Maasai people in Kenya as they move from a nomadic to a more settled lifestyle. Traditional Maasai homes are small, dark, and built from grass, twigs, and cow dung, which decay quickly and require constant repair by women. Harsh weather, vermin, and smoke from cooking fires create health and safety problems.
The project helps families build stronger, safer houses using local stone, sand, and timber. New homes have higher roofs, larger windows, and chimneys for better ventilation, which reduces smoke-related illness. Gutters collect rainwater for storage, and sanitation facilities like pit latrines are added to improve hygiene.
Training is central to the project. Fifty-six artisans learned construction skills, and over 400 women now run small businesses, supported by training in bookkeeping, marketing, and credit access. Many women use their extra income to improve their homes. Demonstration houses and peer exchanges helped the community adopt these new techniques while keeping the traditional circular design.
More than 300 homes have been upgraded, reducing indoor pollution, household accidents, and vermin. Water collection and durable materials also save women time previously spent fetching water or repairing houses.
Environmentally, the project has reduced pressure on local trees by using longer-lasting materials and promoted water harvesting in this semi-arid region. Socially, it has built stronger community cooperation, empowered women to speak up in meetings, and created new sources of income.
The initiative began with donor support but is now largely community driven. Families contribute their own labour and materials, and local artisans can earn income by building homes for others. The skills, businesses, and construction methods developed are now spreading to other areas of Kajiado District.