About
ERIPOTO = safety and security
ERIPOTO for Girls & Women is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization working to end gender-based violence and empower women and girls through education, advocacy, and opportunity. Founded in 2022 by Esuvat Lucumay—a Maasai woman and survivor of violence herself—ERIPOTO provides a holistic network of support for those affected by violence, including safe shelter, counseling, education scholarships, and vocational training. Our name, ERIPOTO, means “safety and security” in the Maasai language, reflecting our mission to create a world where women and girls can live with dignity, hope, and freedom.
In northern Tanzania, women and girls face significant challenges, including early forced marriage, female genital mutilation, limited access to education, and widespread poverty. These deeply rooted issues put their safety, health, and futures at risk. Through our Safe House, school-based programs, and community outreach, we reach thousands of individuals across northern Tanzania each year. We equip girls with the tools they need to stay in school, support women in building financially independent lives, and work with communities to break harmful cycles and build a more equitable future. Rooted in local culture and led by those with lived experience, ERIPOTO is creating systemic, generational change—one life, one story, and one community at a time.
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OUR VISION: We envision a world where every woman and girl lives free from violence, with the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive. This is a future where empowered women uplift their communities; harmful traditions are transformed; and safety, equality, and hope are the foundation of everyday life.
OUR MISSION: ERIPOTO for Girls & Women empowers women and girls in northern Tanzania by preventing gender-based violence, providing safe shelter and holistic care to survivors, and equipping individuals and communities with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to break cycles of poverty and oppression. We work through education, mentorship, advocacy, and economic opportunity to foster dignity, safety, and sustainable change.
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CORE VALUES: Integrity, Accountability, Volunteerism, and Transparency
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ORGANIZATION OBJECTIVES:
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Promote quality education
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Raise awareness about harmful practice that affect women and girls
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Advocate for human rights, with a focus on the rights of women and girls
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Equip girls and young women with income-generating skills for economic empowerment
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Strengthen women's entrepreneurial capacity to support sustainable family livelihoods
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Provide a safe, supportive, and healing environment for girls and young women who have experienced violence
Meet the Founder
Esuvat Lucumay
If you ask Esuvat why she founded ERIPOTO, she will likely tell you about her childhood.
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Like the women and girls ERIPOTO serves, Esuvat grew up in northern Tanzania as part of a large Maasai community. Like most Maasai, her family relied on raising cattle and goats for survival and faced many poverty-related challenges including food insecurity and lack of access to clean drinking water and medical care.
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In keeping with Maasai tradition, Esuvat’s father had more than one wife, so her family was quite large. Though Esuvat and her siblings had access to primary school, which Esuvat completed in 2001, access to secondary school was limited. In addition, like many Maasai, Esuvat’s parents had little experience with formal education and questioned its value, particularly for girls. Esuvat’s father saw more value in fetching a bride price for his daughters than in educating them.
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Though Esuvat desperately hoped to continue her education after primary school, her family instead arranged for her marriage. Esuvat refused this arrangement and begged to continue her education for several years, but her family eventually arranged for Esuvat to be forcibly taken to her husband-to-be. One day after working in the farm fields, Esuvat was kidnapped by several men, badly beaten, and taken to her would-be mother-in-law’s home. She stayed with this woman for three days before running away.
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Though Esuvat was homeless, she found a job as a housekeeper and began saving money so she could return to school. Through her hard work and the support of a sponsor, Esuvat was able to complete a two-year training course in tailoring and typing during this time.
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After the training course, Esuvat still dreamt of completing secondary school. With the help of the late Lutheran bishop Thomas Laiser and her sponsor, Esuvat was able to attend Moringe Sokoine Secondary School. There, she met headmaster Dr. Seth Msinjili, who provided her with support, encouragement, and housing at one of the first safe houses for girls in Tanzania.
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Esuvat achieved high marks in secondary school and received a government scholarship to study at the University of Arusha, where she completed degrees in business administration and human resources management.
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Today, Esuvat operates ERIPOTO to help other young women who face similar challenges. She knows their struggles firsthand and wants to pass on the educational gift she has been given to the next generation of women leaders.
Our staff & Volunteers
ERIPOTO is powered by a dedicated team of 12 staff members and a growing network of local and international volunteers. Our staff and volunteers include social workers, counselors, teachers, pastors, cooks, guards, accountants, fundraisers, communications specialists, and administrative assistants—all working together to support our mission. As a registered non-governmental organization, ERIPOTO is guided by a committed board of directors who provide leadership, governance, and strategic oversight.
In 2024, we were proud to host 16 passionate volunteers from Tanzania, Europe, and the United States. If you're interested in joining our volunteer community, please complete the contact form and tell us a bit about yourself and your areas of interest. A member of our team will follow up by email to learn more and explore how you can get involved.
"Volunteering with Eripoto changed my perspective on culture, family, and togetherness. I witnessed resilience and community among the girls, and the staff's dedication to creating a safe environment."
Helena
"The work at the Safe House touched my heart deeply. The girls impressed me daily with their openness and gratitude. I am grateful for the time spent and will cherish it."
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Ronja
"Working with Eripoto is deeply inspiring. The girls, despite immense challenges, radiate strength and light. Teaching and empowering them has been enriching for me."
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Elissa
Our Sponsors & Partners
Operation Bootstrap Africa