Safiri – Elototo

Safiri Elototo Project is a community-based initiative dedicated to preventing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among girls in Monduli District, Arusha Region, Tanzania. Implemented by the Great Hope Organization (GHO), the project responds to the urgent need to address harmful traditional practices that threaten the health, dignity, and rights of young girls within the Maasai and other indigenous communities in Monduli.

FGM, locally known as ukeketaji, has long been practiced as a cultural rite of passage marking the transition from childhood to womanhood. However, this practice has severe and lasting consequences on the physical, psychological, and social well-being of girls and women. Complications such as excessive bleeding, infections, difficulties in childbirth, and trauma are common outcomes, while survivors often endure stigma and limited opportunities for education and personal development. Despite global and national efforts to eliminate FGM, the practice persists in Monduli due to deeply rooted cultural beliefs, lack of information, and limited access to alternative initiation practices.

Safiri Elototo Project aims to change this reality by providing comprehensive education and awareness on the dangers of FGM, both at the household and community levels. The project focuses on sensitizing parents, guardians, traditional leaders, and young people themselves about the harmful effects of FGM and the importance of protecting children’s rights. Through community dialogues, workshops, school-based campaigns, and collaboration with local authorities, the initiative seeks to dismantle harmful myths, challenge long-standing traditions, and encourage the adoption of safer, culturally respectful alternatives.

Above all, Safiri Elototo emphasizes empowerment and transformation. By equipping girls with knowledge about their bodies, their rights, and their potential, the project creates a platform for them to make informed decisions, stay in school, and pursue their dreams free from harmful practices. At the same time, it engages parents and elders who are key decision-makers in Maasai culture in order to shift community norms collectively rather than isolating individuals.

This project is not only about ending FGM; it is about restoring hope, dignity, and opportunities for girls, ensuring that they can grow up healthy, safe, and with equal chances to contribute to the development of their families and the broader community. Great Hope Organization, through Safiri – Elototo, envisions Monduli where every girl is valued, protected, and free from the threat of FGM.