Land is Life is proud to announce the appointment of Jemimah Kerenge as Global Director of its Indigenous-led grantmaking initiative. This pioneering program is an approach developed by Land is Life and its global network to provide support to our grassroots Indigenous partners around the globe through small, flexible grants.
Jemimah, a Maasai from Kenya, will lead efforts to help Indigenous peoples promote and protect their rights, implement community-based development projects, and maximize the capacities of their organizations. Funds are used locally for workshops, medical emergencies, legal support, campaigns, regional gatherings, travel to meetings, self-determined development programs, and general expenses for Indigenous peoples’ organizations.
“Land is Life has created a grantmaking platform for Indigenous peoples to air their views and voices, which is instrumental in supporting Indigenous peoples globally through initiatives that directly touch their livelihoods and help secure their territories and rights,” says Jemimah. “I believe that when given leadership opportunities, Indigenous women can bear great success. My most important personal achievement is getting a platform at Land is Life to exercise my leadership abilities as an Indigenous woman.”
On the whole, the Indigenous-led grantmaking program aims to support initiatives that enhance the collective rights of Indigenous peoples, covering a wide array of subjects like human rights, land, resources and biodiversity, climate change, food sovereignty, women, youth and elders, traditional knowledge systems and practices (including language, arts, and sports), education and economic empowerment, and strengthening of Indigenous livelihoods.
The Land is Life Global Team wishes Jemimah best of luck in her newly appointed position.