Empower People, Protect Elephants – Support the MAFUTA Project in Tanzania

This year, we’re extending the spirit of Giving Tuesday across four weeks — all in support of the MAFUTA project, which we implement together with our partners HISA (Human Initiatives for Animals) and SANA (Saving Africa’s Nature).

Through this project, we support communities in Tanzania to build sustainable livelihoods and live in harmony with elephants.

Support this campaign and be part of a month of impact. Your support makes a difference – scroll down to see how.

Context

In the rural areas of Tanzania, most farmers are women and young people. Despite their hard work to grow food for their families and communities, many face challenges such as limited access to land, to training, or to decent economic opportunities, and little say in decision-making processes. These difficulties increase their financial dependence and often push young people to leave their villages.

Elephant intrusions pose another serious challenge for farmers. The project region is located along the Kikwati migration corridor – an important route for elephants moving between Saadani National Park and other protected areas. As deforestation continues, elephants in search of food pass more frequently through farmland, destroying crops and endangering people’s safety on their way.

Over time, local initiatives have introduced natural and animal-friendly methods to effectively repel elephants. For example:

  • Fences made of cloth soaked in chili mixed with cooking or essential oils keep elephants away without harming them.
  • Shared forests restore degraded land with the planting of local species that are productive but unappealing to elephants.

These methods not only protect farms but also regenerate the environment and strengthen community resilience. However, importing the oils needed for the chili fences from Dar es Salaam remains expensive and limits their use.

The project

The MAFUTA project provides a sustainable solution. Starting in January 2026, it will establish a local laboratory where women and young people learn to produce and process natural oils from plants grown in the shared forests — such as moringa, lemongrass, mahogany, and African breadfruit.

With these oils, communities can:

  • Protect their crops using local, natural and affordable repellents;
  • Sell products that generate a new source of income;
  • Strengthen their financial independence; and
  • Promote peaceful coexistence with elephants.

In addition, participants will receive training in sustainable farming, entrepreneurship, and cooperative management, using interactive and playful learning methods to enhance confidence and collaboration.

The impact of your support

Empowering women farmers:

Women farmers play a vital role in their communities. In Tanzania, 65% of farmers are women, responsible for 70% of the country’s food production.

  • 40 CHF: Support agriculture training for one woman for 6 months.
  • 240 CHF: Support agriculture training for three women for a full year.
  • Any amount: Contribute what you can to empower women farmers

 

Supporting economic opportunities for youth:

Young people in rural Tanzania face challenges in accessing income-generating opportunities. Through the MAFUTA project, they receive entrepreneurship training and start-up support.

  • 50 CHF: Enable one young person to join a 6-month interactive entrepreneurship training
  • 200 CHF: Enable two young people to join a 1-year interactive entrepreneurship training
  • Any amount: Contribute what you can to support young people.

 

Living in harmony with elephants:

Farming communities are facing the challenges of elephant intrusions. Using natural and animal-friendly methods, such as barriers made from cloths soaked in chilli and natural oils, farmers can protect their crops safely and sustainably.

  • 50 CHF: Provide materials for one farm to set up natural barriers.
  • 150 CHF: Provide three farms with the materials needed to set up these barriers.
  • Any amount: Contribute what you can.