University on Youth and Development 2023
Organization
Type of organization:
Non for Profit
Name of the organization:
Maji Wells
Full address:
202 N Cedar Ave STE #1 Owatonna MN 55060 USA
Registration country:
USA
Registration number:
1328202400021
Tax number:
EIN 88-3863137
Webpage:
Email:
Telephone (+ international code):
+1 650 669 9501
Short description of the organization: size, geographical scope, objectives, main activities (limit of 3000 characters).
Maji Wells is a non-profit organization focused on the Monduli District of Tanzania. With less than 50 total members, Maji Wells has four board members and ten global advisors [across Health, Water, University Professors, and senior leads from associated nonprofit organizations]. For the last 3 years, most projects have focused on providing clean and accessible water to the Maasai community. Looking towards expanding and continuing to provide accessible water to all nearby communities. Beyond water, Maji Wells is also starting projects to support Health, Education, and Sustainability in the Maasai community. The organization has a Student/Youth team that includes student leaders from the USA [Roshan Taneja, Yuvraj Taneja], India [Aayushi Jaiswal], and Tanzania [Joseph].
Activity
Title of the activity:
Applying learnings from Water Harvesting Solutions for the Maasai Tribe to similar climate problems locally
Type of activity (seminar, training, focus group, board meeting)
Seminar/Focus Group
Number of working days (excluding arrival and departure days)
1
Description of the activity: main theme, objectives, working methodology and expected results (limit of 3000 characters)
Main theme: Supporting the Maasai Tribe with sustainable and clean water solutions; Scaling the learnings to your own area of passion in climate change
Objectives: Help participants understand the on-ground challenges for Maasai tribe, and brainstorm solutions and see how they can extend and apply learnings to their own area of climate related interest [locally]
Methodology: Mix of storytelling, seminar/panel with learnings, brainstorming break-out sessions on solutions
4 part framework
A. The story and learnings [2-3 hours]:
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Building bridges with the oldest Tribe on earth [Maasai] and becoming part of their community to support them in education, health, and economic upliftment
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Experiencing how the oldest tribe on earth [Maasai] continue to live with changing climate, social, and technology change
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How we integrate with the community?
B. The on-ground challenge [2 hours]
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Climate change impact and water problem
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Impact of water problem on economic, social and education
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Solutions deployed to date
C. Solutions [3-4 hours]: Brainstorming scaled water solutions for 30,000 Maasai tribe living in Monduli district, Tanzania
D. Applying it to your own area of passion in climate change [locally] [3-4 hours]
Is the activity organized in partnership with other organizations? *
Yes.Maji Wells will work with the following two organizations. 1) Project FUEL (India) [www.projectfuel.in]: Bringing their on ground experience of working with the Maasai Tribe since 2018 in building bridges with the community and helping start the change with a Community Center, followed by water harvesting units. 2) Karimu Foundation (USA, Tanzania): Bringing the best practices for the Seminars and Focus Group across 100+ projects executed on water solutions and local community projects completed in Babati district.
Staff and Participants
N of participants (excluding staff/trainers/support staff..) *
5
Participants profile (including nationalities) and selection criteria *
Mbayani Tayai [Tanzania, Maji Wells]
Roshan Taneja [USA, Project Fuel and Maji Wells]
Yuvraj Taneja [USA, Project Fuel and Maji Wells]
Deepak Ramola [India, Project Fuel]
Ayushi Jaiswal [India, Project Fuel]
Pooja Kohli [USA, Project Fuel and Maji Wells]
Nº of staff members (trainers/facilitators/support staff/board members) who will take part in the activity on-field. *
6
Please clarify the responsibility of each staff member *
Mbayani Tayai [Maasai Leader]
Abhi Taneja [Facilitator]
Deepak Ramola [Facilitator]
Ayushi Jaiswal [Facillitator]
Roshan Taneja [Facillitator]
Yuvraj Taneja [Facillitator]
Pooja Kohli [Operations & Media/PR Lead]
Total number of the people who will take part in the activity on-site during the UYD in Mollina (Spain) *
Are the funds for this activity already guaranteed? *
Yes
If yes, please provide further details about the funding mechanism of the activity.
Source of funding
Personal funds from the US based leaders for travel and stay locally
Fund raising by Roshan and Yuvraj Taneja for additional expenses
If not, could you please provide details about the financial support you are currently exploring? If you applied for a grant, when are you expected to be communicated the results?
Did not apply for a grant
The Activity and the University
Please explain why you would like to organize this activity in the framework of the University. *
Organizing the activity within the framework of the iLEGEND III project by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe is suitable for several reasons. Firstly, the project's objectives align with the activity's focus on global education, sustainable development, and fostering dialogue. Secondly, the project emphasizes interregional cooperation, making it conducive to engaging with the Maasai tribe in Tanzania and strengthening bonds between different regions. Additionally, the activity contributes to capacity building, advocacy, awareness raising, and partnership development, which are key components of the iLEGEND III project. Overall, organizing the activity within this institutional framework provides an opportunity to address climate change, support indigenous communities, and promote global education effectively.
Please explain how your activity is connected to and in which way it contributes to tackling the 2023 annual theme. *
Climate change plays a critical role in the water problems faced by the Maasai tribe. As the global climate shifts, the Maasai's traditional water sources, such as rivers, lakes, and natural springs, are becoming increasingly unpredictable and unreliable. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and altered rainfall patterns are disrupting the availability and accessibility of water for the community. This has severe implications for their economic activities, as water scarcity limits agricultural productivity, livestock rearing, and other livelihood practices that are integral to their way of life. Additionally, the scarcity of clean and safe water affects the health and well-being of the Maasai people, leading to increased vulnerability to waterborne diseases and malnutrition.
Furthermore, climate change worsens the water problem by intensifying competition for limited water resources among various stakeholders, including neighboring communities, commercial interests, and wildlife conservation efforts. This intensification of resource conflicts adds additional pressure on the Maasai's access to water, often disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. By addressing the water challenges within the context of climate change, this project recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors. It aims to develop sustainable and adaptive solutions that not only meet the immediate water needs of the Maasai but also consider long-term climate resilience and promote equitable water management practices.
Please explain how your organization can contribute to the overall management and coordination of the event for the success of the event.
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Leaders from Maji Wells and associated organizations can help facilitate other events and workshops.
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Organize a Project Fuel “Life Lessons” activity for the participants. Project Fuel works across projects in Belgium, Finland, the US, India, Tanzania, and many other nations globally.
Can you commit to the roadmap of partnership engagement as reported in the call for activities?*
Yes
Requirements for Participation in the University on Youth and Development (UYD):
Submit activity proposals by the deadline (20 June 2023).
Activities should be related to the theme of "Young People, Peace, and Climate Change."
Organizing organizations are responsible for funding and managing their own activities.
Commit to attending preparatory meetings and contributing to the Joint Programme.
Collaborate with other organizations, contribute to joint actions and advocacy initiatives.
Promote the UYD and support media coverage.
Contribute to the evaluation process and final report.
Financially contribute according to capacity or with in-kind resources.
Fulfill child protection measures if minors are involved.
Comply with the roadmap of partnership engagement.
Engage in coordination and volunteer opportunities.
Arrange travel and local transport for participants.
Provide necessary documentation and information on time.
Follow the North-South Centre's Global Education Guidelines.
Meet visa requirements if applicable.
Deliver a final report of the activity.
Note: The requirements may be subject to additional details and clarifications, which can be found in the original text.
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