Current Projects
Paledo’s current projects focus on practical, community-led responses to the challenges facing pastoralist communities today.
Each initiative is shaped by local knowledge and designed to support long-term resilience, self-determination and connection to land.
Emergency Food Relief
Many families across pastoralist communities are currently facing severe food shortages due to the ongoing drought. Donations to Paledo are used for immediate, on-the-ground food relief. Staple foods such as maize are purchased locally and delivered directly to families most in need.
Drilling of a Much-Needed Borehole
The current El Niño weather cycle has contributed to one of the most severe droughts East Africa has experienced in over 50 years. Many pastoralist communities are now facing critical water shortages for both people and livestock. Paledo is currently fundraising to support the drilling of a borehole, providing a reliable and sustainable water source for communities most affected by the drought.
Desert Permaculture Workshops
As traditional grazing lands continue to decline, many pastoralist communities are exploring crop growing as an alternative source of food. However, arid conditions mean these efforts often struggle to succeed.
Paledo plans to work with desert permaculture specialists to design a model permaculture garden and deliver practical workshops for community representatives from across Tanzania. These workshops will focus on effective, sustainable food-growing techniques suited to dry and changing environments.
Village Pre-Schools
Access to education remains extremely limited in many pastoralist communities. In some communities, only a small number of children are able to attend primary school, with even fewer progressing to secondary education. Young children often walk long distances each day to reach the nearest school, creating significant barriers to learning.
To address this, community-built pre-school classrooms have been established locally to support early childhood education. These projects are led and funded in large part by the communities themselves, with additional support from donors. With continued backing and community-led enterprise, Paledo aims to support the development of more pre-schools for pastoralist communities across Tanzania.
Education Sponsorship
Paledo’s pilot program focuses on education sponsorship for children who show strong potential to develop skills that benefit their families and wider communities. At its core, the program is about empowering communities to support their own long-term wellbeing.
With limited access to education beyond secondary school, many pastoralist communities lack opportunities for advocacy and representation. Paledo supports students to access quality education, from primary schooling through to university level, as funding allows.
By increasing access to education and awareness of social, political and humanitarian rights, communities are better equipped to protect their interests and build sustainable livelihoods for the future.
