Naishorwa is a young woman from the Maasai Community who was born and raised in a remote village in northern Tanzania. She was brought up by her grandmother, a woman who saw the value of education and wanted her to study. Despite the cultural norms of forced and early marriages, Naishorwa’s grandmother enrolled her in Kirtalo Primary School. Naishorwa excelled in her studies, but her success was met with a roadblock. Her grandmother could not afford the expenses for secondary education, and her father, despite owning a large number of cattle, was unwilling to support her education.
Naishorwa took a bold step and ran to the Pastoral Women’s Council (PWC) office in Loliondo and pleaded for sponsorship support to help her complete her education. PWC responded positively and enrolled her in Emanyata Secondary School. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Naishorwa’s life.
After completing her secondary education, Naishorwa joined Arusha Teacher College, where she pursued a diploma in education. Upon graduation, she interned at various primary schools in Ngorongoro, gaining valuable experience in the field of education.
Naishorwa’s journey came full circle when she joined PWC as an intern. After two years of dedicated service, she was employed in a different department and is currently the coordinator of the Education & Scholarship department. Working at PWC has given Naishorwa the opportunity to give back to her community. She has been instrumental in rescuing hundreds of pastoralist girls from early and forced marriages, providing them with the opportunity to realize their potential through education.
Today, Naishorwa is a champion for the social and economic rights of pastoralist women and girls. She is a living testament to the transformative power of education and the impact it can have on a community. In her own words, Naishorwa says, “With the PWC team, we have rescued hundreds of pastoralist girls from early and forced marriages and given them an opportunity to realize their potential through education.” She also expresses her gratitude towards PWC, saying, “Without their intervention, I was nothing.”
Naishorwa’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter where we come from, with determination and the right support, we can overcome obstacles and make a significant impact in our communities. Her story continues to inspire many young girls in her community and beyond.