Maipac

MAIPAC has begun the implementation of the one-year project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Vice President Office (Environment), Tittled "Respecting and Preserving Indigenous Tradition Knowledge in Conservation" by Monitoring Documenting and Recording tradition knowledge for the Hadzabe and Datoga indigenous communities in lake Eyas, Karatu District arusha Tanzania.

These tribes have a high level of Environmental awareness, but they have only just begun to feel the effects of climate change, especially after other people like the pastoralists and agriculturalist invaded their home.

The indigenous community like the Hadzabe are threatened because they rely on wildlife, honey and fruits, also their numbers have begun to drop as a result of the invasion of other communities in their territory.

MAIPAC is seeking stakeholders to participate in a campaign to assist this community in dealing with the effects of climate change while still allowing the community to live in its current environment.

MAIPAC has launched its second initiative, Respecting and Preserving Tradional Knowledge in Conservation, which will last a year and was launched by Isack Joseph, Chairman of the Monduli District Council.

The launch was attended by the project beneficiaries from Karatu's District, including the Hadzabe and Datoga indigenous communities, as well as Masai from Selela village in Monduli District.

At the launch, MAIPAC filed an official request to the Monduli District Council for land to create an Indigenous Traditional knowledge center that will also highlight the traditions of the Masai, Hadzabe and Datoga groups and act as an economic investment in the community.

 "We have started the process of acquiring the land and will seek assistance from numerous parties to finish the development of this facility'' Said Mussa Juma, The Executive Director of MAIPAC 

In June-Sept 2023, MAIPAC, conducted an investigative news report regarding FGM and discovered it is still being practiced in the Longido District of Arusha on children under two years of age.  MAIPAC intends to do expand their investigation by using their reporters to focus on the region to raise awareness and combat the ongoing rise in FGM among infants. It is a silent plea as they do not have a voice to raise against the violation. The effects of such practices among young children are severe and may lead to death and illness such as UTI, permanent scarring, and HIV among other diseases. We need to continue to raise awareness to the Maasai community leaders, the men in the Longido and Monduli District, NGOs and Government officials to realize the damaging effects of FGM so as to end this type of violence against women and girls. This malpractice on infants must be thoroughly investigated, addressed, and reported in depth among different media outlets. 

Therefore, there is an urgent need for this project to be under taken in order to raise awareness and about the dangers of FGM and eradicate this issue among communities of Longido and Monduli, particularly targeting parents, relatives, tribal leaders and caregivers of young children.