We have a robust conservation education programme geared towards better environmental stewardship. Here are some of the key projects and interventions we are supporting:
Wildlife Tourism College of Maasai Mara
The Wildlife Tourism College of Maasai Mara (WTC) is a community-owned, government-certified college. The college is a pioneering higher education centre training young people in the skills needed to get jobs supporting conservation in the Maasai Mara and to generate income for its host conservancy—Pardamat Conservation Area.
We support the college in meeting its operational expenditures to help it get established. Previously, our partnership extended to the college’s design, capital, and operational expenditure. The WTC story and essence speak to sustainability through capacity-building and livelihood support for the Maasai community and climate change mitigation through youth training.
Focus on Youth: Opening Doors through Scholarships
Our scholarships are more than just a means to access education and professional training. They are a gateway to a brighter future for young people. By expanding their opportunities, these scholarships open doors to a wider range of career options beyond the traditional ones of livestock and lease payments (in the case of the Maasai Mara). The opportunities not only benefit the youth but also contribute to the sustainability of conservancies. Our implementing partners include The Maa Trust and Mara Lemek Conservancy Kiunga Community Wildlife Association. In 2023 alone, 209 students received bursaries and scholarships.
Saruni Basecamp Academy: Unlocking Opportunities in Tourism and Hospitality
In partnership with our sister organisation, Saruni Basecamp, we are enhancing opportunities for youths keen on pursuing careers in tourism and hospitality. Saruni Basecamp runs a six-month career growth and development training programme, providing its candidates with exposure and hands-on industry training. As such, the Saruni Basecamp Academy is an excellent grooming ground for young aspiring hospitality professionals.
Internship Programme: Building Skills and Enhancing Job Prospects
We develop internship opportunities to allow young graduates to deepen their knowledge and skills in conservation. The programme looks at creating opportunities for interns, who receive on-the job-training, professional networking, networking, job search resources, and participation in professional development workshops
The Critical Conversation
We have a unique partnership with The Critical Conversation, a dynamic group of Kenyans passionate about delivering a message to communities that ignites a conversation around the topic of environmental stewardship. The Conversation is delivered through ‘edutainment’ – a clever mix of science, theatre, music, and cultural metaphors, all within a rights-based framework, to facilitate a shift in perception of the issue and systemic change facing Kenya’s nomadic people and their landscapes. Significant challenges facing conservation are addressed, with a particular focus on youth.