Maasai - Ngong | solarwater

Maasai - Ngong

Women of Faith

Our Maasai Project in Ngong, located south of Nairobi, is designed to support the women of the Women of Faith group.

The cooperation with the Group began in 2021 with support from the SOFIs WORLD Foundation. That year, we installed 45 photovoltaic (PV) systems, followed by the installation of 20 water tanks in the subsequent year.

This was followed by another three-year project supported by the German URBIS FOUNDATION. During this period, we installed an additional 35 PV systems to meet the community’s electricity needs, as well as 17 biogas plants, each equipped with water tanks and cowsheds.

In 2023, the initiative for biogas began with two demonstration biogas plants (6–8 m³). These were primarily used to educate the community on maintenance processes, how to feed the biogas plants, and how to utilize the biofertilizer produced.

Due to the impacts of climate change, a shift in behavior, lifestyle, and mindset has become necessary. The cattle kept by Maasai men are increasingly affected by droughts, leading to significant losses. This reality forces the community to reconsider aspects of their traditional way of life.

For each household receiving a biogas plant, a reliable source of cow dung and water was essential. The most practical solution was to construct cowsheds and keep milk cows close to the home, ensuring both accessibility and sustainability.

However, this introduced another challenge: both cows and biogas plants require water. Therefore, water tanks, rainwater gathering systems, and responsible water use became essential for success. Each household was provided with a water tank and its own cowshed to ensure the cows were safe and the biogas plants could function properly.

Following the successful demonstration phase, 15 additional biogas plants were installed by december 2025.

In addition, 35 households received PV systems tailored to their specific needs. These systems brought light into homes, which has had a tremendous impact.

The Maasai women emphasized that the greatest benefit is that children can now complete their schoolwork in the evenings, even after sunset. This directly strengthens the education of younger generations.

A second major benefit is improved security. While the initial concern was protection against thieves or other threats, the lighting also safeguards families from wild animals during the night.