For nearly 30 years, The Maasai Education, Research and Conservation Institute (MERC) has been working in Kenya and the U.S. for the cultural survival of the Maasai Community. MERC works closely with grassroots Maasai organizations throughout Maasailand, all levels of Kenyan government, and national and international civil society organizations to create partnerships for the economic, political, and cultural empowerment of the Maasai people. MERC has offices in Narok and a research center on the edge of the Maasai Mara; for over a decade we have worked closely with Prescott College to support Maasai efforts to regain homeland and for tourism reform through research. MERC is well positioned to play a critical role as the future of Maasailand is charted by many converging forces, and is dedicated in particular to ensuring the participation of Maasai people in decisions impacting their lives.ons.

<p>Our vision is that all people in the world live together in a way that supports mother earth as well as respects each other's (universal) needs.</p> <p>Badilisha embodies the phrase &ldquo;think global, act local.&rdquo; It seeks to adapt and mitigate the challenges facing Rusinga Island, and promote the achievement of the Millenium Development Goals. Rusinga Island bares many burdens, which are driven or exacerbated by distal &nbsp;issues such as climate change and &nbsp;global inequalities. &nbsp;Challenges include poverty and unemployment, HIV/AIDS, lack of education and illiteracy, drought, infectious disease (including malaria), undernutrition and malnutrition, deforestation and soil degradation, collapsing fisheries and domestic violence. &nbsp;Badilisha has emerged as a response to these widespread challenges. It has developed a vast array of designs, facilities and programs using the ethics and practices of permaculture as its guide. &nbsp;Such teachings include &ldquo;start slow&rdquo;, &ldquo;work with nature&rdquo;, &ldquo;use of common sense and local and traditional knowledge&rdquo;, &ldquo;holistic &nbsp;design&rdquo;, &ldquo;cooperation, not competition&rdquo;, and &ldquo;sustainability.&rdquo; These, and other teachings of permaculture, are apparent in the structure of the farm and also in the community social action projects run through Badilisha. Badilisha is a locally driven initiative, which engages, inspires, teaches and benefits the Rusinga community. It also has international partnerships, and welcomes visitors, students and volunteers from abroad to learn from and contribute to the farm and community. Badilisha successfully hosted a Permaculture Development Course in March 2011 and aims to become an International Permaculture Center.&nbsp;</p>