The strength of the Ogiek people is built upon the resilience, wisdom, and unwavering commitment of our women. As the primary protectors of our families and the sacred stewards of our land, Ogiek women are the heartbeat of our community. This week, the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN) hosted a powerful Women’s Leadership and Rights Training session, bringing […]
This World Environment Day, the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN) chose to look both inward at our ancestral heritage and outward at the pressing global challenges of our time. We gathered as a community—women, youth, elders, and leaders—to reflect on our sacred responsibility as custodians of the land and to reaffirm our commitment to environmental protection. Grounding Action […]
At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we view our connection to the land as sacred. Our agricultural practices are not just about production; they are a continuous dialogue with the ecosystems that have sustained our ancestors for generations. Today, we are thrilled to announce a major milestone in that dialogue: the official handover of a cutting-edge Solar […]
At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we believe that environmental conservation is not a chore—it is a sacred responsibility. This past Saturday, that belief was put into action during a monumental homecoming at Kapsimotwo. Along the banks of the Kapsigiroi water spring, our community gathered to breathe new life into the Maji Mazuri forest. The energy was […]
At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), our mission to restore the land and reclaim our health is expanding. We believe that the resilience we cultivate in one community must become the standard for the entire region. Recently, our team conducted a series of strategic site visits across Toniok, Kapng’etot, and Kabimoi, working hand-in-hand with the Genesis Self-Help […]
At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we often say that our mission goes beyond agriculture. Agriculture is merely the vessel; the true goal is the restoration of our community’s health, heritage, and connection to the land. This philosophy was at the heart of our recent visit to Sigoro, where we spent a day with the Moiben Self-Help […]
At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we believe that true power is found in the soil. Today was a day defined by sweat, collective action, and the unwavering pursuit of sovereignty as we joined the Tumaini Ogiek Women Group to launch two pillars of their community’s future: a new Agroecology Demonstration Farm and a fully commissioned Community […]
At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we know that to drive transformative change for our community, our team must be as resilient and vibrant as the forests and farms we serve. This past weekend, we took a necessary step back from the field to focus on the people behind the mission, spending an intensive team-building retreat at […]
The hills of Chemoson/Tinet have long held the secrets of Ogiek resilience. Yesterday, those hills became a global stage as the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN) hosted an international delegation for a landmark strategic benchmarking visit at the Kibarasoi Community Seedbank. This gathering was a powerful reminder that while our ancestral lands are unique, the struggle for Indigenous […]
At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we believe that the preservation of our past is the most powerful tool for securing our future. Today marks a truly historic milestone in our journey toward true food sovereignty and community resilience. We are incredibly proud to announce the official commissioning of three brand-new Indigenous Seed Banks—living vaults of our […]