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Giving Back
Writing Rooted opened my eyes to more than just my personal family story—it connected me to entire peoples, cultures, and legacies that live on today. Discovering that my maternal line traces back to the Hadzabe and Sandawe was both humbling and deeply moving. It made me realize that honoring them isn’t just about telling the story—it’s also about supporting the work being done to protect their rights, preserve their heritage, and strengthen their communities.
Anyone who knows me also knows that my heart and passion are for women—helping them uncover their unique gifts and talents. That’s why giving back is so important to me. Both The Meleka Foundation and PINGO’s Forum advocate not only for the Hadza (Hadzabe) and Sandawe peoples but also for the rights, care, and empowerment of women in these communities. Their missions align deeply with my own work as a women’s advocate, making it meaningful to stand with them and help amplify their impact.
The Meleka Foundation
The Meleka Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, grassroots organization in Tanzania—and the only Hadza-led nonprofit working within the region. Their mission is to preserve the culture, language, and traditions of the Hadza (Hadzabe) people through education, health, community development, and storytelling, ensuring this ancient heritage continues to thrive for generations to come.
Because my own lineage traces back to the Hadza, supporting The Meleka Foundation is deeply personal to me. It’s a way to honor that connection while also uplifting women in their community, whose voices and contributions are essential to keeping this heritage alive.
Learn more at www.meleka.org.
PINGO’s Forum
PINGO’s Forum (Pastoralists Indigenous Non-Governmental Organizations) advocates for the rights and dignity of Indigenous peoples in Tanzania, including the Sandawe and Hadza (Hadzabe), one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer communities in the world. They empower these communities to protect their lands, traditions, and ways of life while specifically supporting the rights and welfare of women within them. Because my maternal line traces back to the Sandawe and Hadza (Hadzabe), supporting PINGO’s Forum is deeply personal—it’s a way of honoring the women who carried my family’s story and ensuring their voices continue to be heard.
Learn more at pingosforum.org.
