Meet Naomi Koinase, a Maasai youth advocate from Tanzania, and a member of the SDG 4 Youth & Student Network hosted by UNESCO.
She is the founder of OMOM Maasai Community Foundation which supports children from marginalized communities facing barriers to education.
Teaching in a language that learners understand
“I was born and raised in an Indigenous Maasai community where Maa, our mother tongue, is more than a language; it is identity and belonging.”
The Maa language is spoken by approximately 1.5 million people across southern Kenya and northern Tanzania.
Growing up, Naomi experienced first-hand what happens when education systems fail to reflect the languages and cultures of the children they serve.
“My journey into education was not easy and like many Maasai children, especially girls, I grew up in a system where our language and culture were rarely reflected in the classroom, which made learning intimidating. This shaped my commitment to ensuring that children from my community can access education without losing who they are.”
Her experience is shared by many Indigenous children worldwide. Globally, 40% of the population do not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand.
