About SASAL

Our Story

How We Got Started

Spring of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SASAL) is an indigenous youth- and women-led non-governmental organisation working with pastoralist communities in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) to advance climate resilience, climate justice, and gender equality. To achieve this, SASAL implements programmes focused on climate awareness and knowledge creation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, indigenous women’s leadership, and community-led advocacy.

The idea for SASAL was conceived in 2015 and became a reality in September 2019, when the organization was formally registered. During the conceptualization stage, the founder had envisioned the name Smile of a Pastoralist; however, this name was unavailable during the registration process. The organization was therefore established as Spring of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SASAL), a name that reflects its vision of empowering indigenous pastoralist communities to build resilient, just, and sustainable futures.

Where We Are Now

Our story stems from an exciting point of view from our founder, who is also a meteorologist and from a pastoral community. She couldn’t help but notice the continuous land degradation, recurrent droughts, and loss of livelihood in her home area in Magadi, Kajiado county. Studying meteorology led her to believe that the effects of droughts such as the loss of livelihoods could be evaded by proper preparedness by following weather forecasts issued by the Kenya Meteorological department. However, she realized some of the barriers hindering the farmers from consuming the weather forecasts and using them. That’s when the idea was born of forming an organization that will be like a “spring” not only in Kajiado county but all of the Arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya and help people build climate resilience through creating awareness, adapting to climate change and some mitigation actions. Hence the name Spring of the Arid and Semi Arid Lands.

Our Mission

To work with the Pastoral communities in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands(ASALs) of Kenya for their improved climate resilience.

Our Vision

Climate- resilient and thriving pastoral comunities capable of anicipating, coping and recovering from the impacts of climate change.

Our Goals

Championing gender equality,Inclusion and diversity of the marginalized groups such as women,youth and persons living with disabilities.
Support the development of sustainable programs to build climate resilience.
Implementing and supporting land restoration programs / efforts to ensure a safe landscape for human and wildlife.
Capacity Strengthening pastoralists communities and leaders through trainings to influence climate policies at local, regional and international spaces .
Driving the understanding and awareness of the impacts of climate change on pastoral communities to propel climate action and inspire positive change.
Grow and strengthen SASAL into an effective organization capable of delivering on its mission.