The Adopt-A-Village Project, also known as Okuteleeza, is a flagship ten-year initiative launched in September 2023 by the Rotaract Club of Nairobi Central (RCNC). The core concept behind the project is a long-term commitment to “adopt” and uplift an underserved community by addressing its most pressing socio-economic challenges in alignment with the seven focus areas of Rotary International. By moving beyond short-term aid, the project seeks to create sustainable, generational change through consistent monitoring and evaluation.
What is Adopt a Village?
The Focus: Maili Tisa
The project is centered in Maili Tisa, a village in Kajiado Central, Kajiado County, located about 15 kilometers from Namanga Town. This community of approximately 1,500 residents is predominantly Maasai, a pastoralist group with a rich cultural heritage. However, the village is situated in a semi-arid region that has endured nearly five years of severe drought, resulting in a devastating loss of livestock—the community’s primary source of livelihood.
The Challenges We Are Addressing
Residents rely on a single communal reservoir often contaminated by wildlife, leading to chronic food shortages and unsafe water usage.
The local Maili Tisa Dispensary has only two beds and sits over 10km away via poor road networks.
Children face long, arduous journeys to reach schools, a struggle compounded by encroaching wildlife.
High jobless rates among youth and declining demand for traditional beadwork have left many families without stable income.
Our Approach to Change
Health and Hygiene
RCNC has conducted massive sanitary towel drives, providing over 1,000 pads to more than 200 girls to ensure they can remain in school. We also organize comprehensive Medical Camps at local primary schools to provide essential services and health education
Mentorship
Volunteers hold regular mentorship sessions for the young boys and girls of Maili Tisa, recognizing that children are the “heartbeat of the community”.
Strategic Partnerships
The project leverages the power of the Rotary network, collaborating with the Rotaract Clubs of Kampala Ssese and Kabarole, along with the Enkolili CBO, to bridge healthcare gaps and empower residents.
This project earned us the Most Impactful Project Award, an honor we hold with both pride and humility. We are proud of the recognition and deeply grateful to the team, partners, and most importantly, the Maili Tisa community for welcoming us into their home.