We Have Moved!

WE HAVE MOVED OUR BLOG! 

We would like to thank all of our followers for their continued interest in hearing about our 

Conservation, Health and Education Programs! We don't want to lose you, so please check back regularly on our website for the latest updates! 

By following the below link it will take you to our new location!

http://www.maasaiwilderness.org/category/blog/

Asante sana! 

Education Program Update: Incredible Opportunities for University Students

After witnessing very low transition rates from basic education to higher-level education for pupils within Kuku Group Ranch, the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust offered their first merit secondary school scholarships in 2005. The beneficiary of this first scholarship is today a teacher in one of the schools in Kuku Group Ranch, while other beneficiaries of subsequent scholarships have become professionals in other fields. Our secondary school scholarship program has so far benefited 44 students from the Group Ranch.

The leaders of tomorrow!

To bridge the gap of advancement to continued higher-level education, MWCT, in partnership with the Kuku Group Ranch Leaders, implemented a University Bursary Initiative in 2015. This initiative will seek to empower and encourage successful, eager, and committed pupils from Kuku Group Ranch to not only excel in their studies, but to encourage interest and career paths in environmental conservation. Selection for the scholarships is based solely on academic merit and for Kuku Group Ranch members who qualify to join Universities in Kenya. So far, a total amount of 3 000 000 Kenyan Shillings has been awarded to 42 students!

The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust sends tremendous appreciation and thanks to the contributors who have made continued education possible for the 42 selected students. MWCT hopes to seek a continued effort to find sustainable sources of funding for scholarships for both secondary and higher level University education. Students successfully completing their University Education sanctioned by a MWCT scholarship, will be guaranteed a working position through the County Council. Not only does this act as a form of incentive, but also will seek to further the understanding and appreciation to pupils that environmental conservation awareness and understanding can provide long-term benefits.

A tremendous thank you to Renee Arakelian for making this huge leap forward in the advancement of education in Kenya possible! We are very grateful!

www.maasaiwilderness.org

Education Program Update: Kuku Group Ranch Celebrations Education Day!

On an annual basis, the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust hosts the Kuku Group Ranch Education Day. This day long celebration is hosted for the purpose of congratulating the schools that emerges the best in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations. This year, Olorika Primary stood amongst the 20 schools in Kuku Group Ranch and scored the top position. 

Olorika Primary School's new Administration building

The ceremony took place the last week of March and was attended by the local area Member of Parliament, Ministry of Education Officers, Group Ranch Officials, school head teachers, government chiefs, parents, and pupils. 

Pupils of Olorika Primary School

Although the ranking of schools and pupils has been banned by the Ministry of Education in Kenya. the ranking of schools within Kuku Group Ranch has had a positive impact by promoting healthy academic competition which has helped to improve academic performance. 

The Ministry of Education Officers have allowed MWCT to continue ranking schools within Kuku Group Ranch at the request of the local area Member of Parliament. 

The opening of a new Administration Building for Olorika Primary School also took place on Education Day! This building was constructed with thanks to the Kenya Constituencies Development Fund

Hon. Katoo, local Member of Parliament speaks at Education Day

This is the third year that Olorika has been awarded the top position since the inception of the Education Day celebrations 4 years ago when MWCT introduced the trophy.

The 2013 trophy recipient, Langata Enkima Primary School Head Teacher,  hands over the Education Day trophy

In the first year Iltilal Primary School was awarded the trophy, followed by Olorika Primary School in 2011 and 2012, Langata Enkima Primary School in 2013, and Olorika Primary School again in 2014.  The performance of the top school has improved every year since the introduction of the trophy!

MWCT president Samson Parashina in attendance

The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust sends congratulatory wishes to Olorika Primary School once again! We are always recognizing that along with a healthy, sustaining environment necessary for traditional Maasai pastoralist culture and livelihood, one of the top priorities will always be Education!

Local Member of Parliament, Hon. Katoo, presents the trophy to the Olorika Primary School Head Teacher

The trophy is handed over!

Parents and teachers gather from around the Group Ranch

Education Program Update: Another Term at the Kanzi Academy

Jambo! Happy New Year from Kanzi Academy! Everyone returned to school revived and refreshed after the Christmas break, ready to begin 2015 in earnest.

It has been a wonderful half term. The children began their year with a trip to a local shamba (farm) here on Kuku Group Ranch. They learned how crops grow, investigated the requirements of seasonal planting, and even did some basket weaving!

Class 1 hard at work

All the students continue to progress well with their academic studies. However, Kanzi Academy is focused on more than just academic success. We emphasize the importance of effort both inside and outside the classroom. We also connect to the environment around us and reflect on our need of it. This, in turn, prompts much discussion and learning.

Class 3 concentrates on their art project

Teamwork is an important ethic of the Academy as well. As such, the students of Class 3 have continued to develop team building skills, reflective practice, and peer-to-peer support. They have also been researching and learning about Gandhi, an inspirational and interesting leader who spread the message of peace. We will continue this unit after our mid-term break.

All students enjoying their surrounding environment in PE

Class 1 are settling into a more formal style of learning and are demonstrating greater responsibility for their own learning needs. Teachers do not think for the students here at Kanzi Academy; instead we encourage all the children to be free thinkers. As adults, our job is to guide and direct. The results are often organic and overwhelmingly creative. When children are involved in their own learning, we get very excited!

From all of us here at Academy, we say "kwaheri" (goodbye) and look forward to updating you again soon.
- Sarah and the Kanzi Academy Team

A fantastic photo of Head Teacher, Sarah, with Class 1 and Class 3!

Introducing... the Volunteer Safari!

Would you like to effect positive change as you travel?  Why not volunteer on vacation?  The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust and Campi ya Kanzi are thrilled to introduce the new volunteer safari!  Guests are invited to volunteer with MWCT for three weeks while also enjoying a discounted stay at Campi ya Kanzi.  These guests will receive the same five-star treatment that Campi ya Kanzi is known for while also making a difference for the local Maasai community.

Are you ready to put your talents to use?  By traveling to the Chyulu Hills and the Maasai-owned Kuku Group Ranch, you can support the local economy while also helping to protect the wildlife and people who live here.  Make an impact in the areas of conservation, education, and health as you immerse yourself in the colorful Maasai culture and explore the unspoiled wilderness of the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem.  During your stay, you will live in a luxurious tented cottage, enjoy Italian cuisine at Tembo House, and split your time between safari and volunteer activities.  Spend the morning teaching a science lesson to local Maasai schoolchildren, then take a game drive and watch the sun set over Mount Kilimanjaro with a refreshing gin and tonic.  Vacation for a good cause and enjoy the trip of a lifetime as you promote positive change for the Maasai.  Read on to learn how you can help.

 

Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust

  
The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust is a non-profit organization in southern Kenya that works to protect wilderness, wildlife, and culture across the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem through projects that directly benefit the local Maasai community.  MWCT has developed conservation, education, and health programs which demonstrate that the Maasai can thrive by managing their environment wisely.  MWCT employs nearly 250 Kenyans and serves a population of 17,000 Maasai.  To learn more about MWCT, visit www.maasaiwilderness.org.
   

How You Can Help 
      

Conservation

        •    Assist with wildlife counts
        •    Accompany MWCT rangers on their monitoring patrols
        •    Place camera traps in various locations and analyze their photo data of wildlife
        •    Teach lessons about the environment in local primary schools

Health

        •    Participate in health outreach events
        •    Assist the doctor at a local health clinic
                    o    Help with infant check-ups and immunizations
                    o    Record patient data in medical files
                    o    Assist with the dispensation of medicine at the pharmacy
        •    Give health talks in local primary schools
                    o    Possible topics include HIV/AIDS, puberty, and substance abuse

Education
        •    Teach guest lessons at a local school in the subject of your choice
        •    Assist the librarian at the Iltilal school library
        •    Help the teachers to prepare lessons, worksheets, and PowerPoint presentations

Other

We value the specific talents that you bring to MWCT.  Tell us about your skill set so we can put it to use in the best possible way.
        •    Are you an artist?  Paint a mural at a local school or health clinic.
        •    Are you a botanist?  Assist the conservation team with rangeland monitoring.
        •    Are you a photographer?  Take pictures for our website and social media platforms.
        •    Are you a blogger?  Write about your volunteer experiences on the MWCT blog.

Ready to sign up?  For more information, contact bookings@maasai.com.

Education Program Update - End of Term One at Kanzi Academy

Term One has ended at Kanzi Academy, and with it a successful season of learning and discovery.  As the welcome rains of November transformed the savannah from dusty yellow to lush green, the students enjoyed trekking in the Chyulu Hills and exploring the great outdoors.  The Kanzi teachers recognize the exceptional opportunities afforded to a school in the bush and incorporate nature into their lesson plans, building a learning environment that utilizes both the classroom and the world outside.  Experiential learning is key at the Academy, where students strive to understand their role in the community as well as their relationship with the environment.

Class One lines up for a hike in the Chyulu Hills.

 
In the second half of the term, Class 3 explored the theme of "leadership" in spiritual education class, addressing such probing questions as "What makes a good leader?"  Responsibility, trust, connection, tolerance, and empathy were all discussed in detail through debates and moments of reflection.  The facets of leadership were also demonstrated in fun, practical activities such as the "banana operation."

The students continued to benefit from advanced technology in the classroom, utilizing both laptops and a state-of-the-art SMART Board.  These tools enhance the learning experience and prepare students to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
 

Class Three hard at work on their laptops

Kanzi Academy students use interactive technology to complement their lessons.

  
The students enjoyed a musical treat when violinist Barbara Stoddard performed a private concert at the Academy.  The children learned about the parts of a violin, the bow, and the tuning process and also listened to different styles of music.  Meanwhile, in art class, the students had a great time making bracelets and "Kanzi Bears."
 

Students made "Kanzi Bears" as a craft project.

   
At the end of the term, the students got into the Christmas spirit by decorating the Christmas tree at Campi ya Kanzi's Tembo House.  The savannah-themed tree is decked with lions, zebras, giraffes, gourds, and small African dolls.  As the students and teachers head home for the holidays, they wish a joyous season of celebration to all!
 

Merry Christmas from Kanzi Academy!

Education Program Update - the Kanzi Academy is Back!

The Kanzi Academy opened its doors last week for the new school year 2014/2015!

We have the absolute joy of welcoming all children and staff back to school, nestled in the savannah in between the Chyulu Hills and Kilimanjaro!

Class 1 & 3 ready for the new year! 

As usual, we combine traditional teaching using both the UK and International Curriculum to offer the children a broad-based, holistic learning experience. This teaching, when combined with the richness of the environment, provides not only a feast for all the senses, but enables the children to learn experientially and explore their culture, their roots; their lore.

We aim to educate the children as much about the conservancy on which they live, as well as giving them a sense of 'bigger picture'. To be caretakers of our planet is a fundamental message for future living, survival and the integrity of our 'right' to be here.

Already this week, not only have we had some truly wonderful classroom experiences, where the children have shown much responsibility for their own learning alongside a solid work ethic... but we have been out in the wilderness to explore some very unique experiences indeed.

We had the opportunity to visit CCRC, where the rescued 2 week old Lesser Kudu was being loved and cared for. The children had the opportunity to learn its Maasai name feed it, and ask many questions about its future!

Enjoying feeding the lesser kudu!

We have also been lion tracking! With the help of the Conservation Team, we were able to borrow telemetry equipment that enabled us to track and locate Namunyak. She was relaxed and calm and truly a beautiful vision as she lay quietly on the lava, camouflaged by the surrounding bush.

Students of Class 3 eagerly keeping their eyes out for Namunyak!

Inside the school, we have transformed one of our rooms into a dedicated art room. This will be the centre of much creativity and imagination. As always, we will look at different artists, explore different materials and media and 'feel art'. We will also be using different types of music to inspire us... from Tibetan chanting to Bob Marley, as well as burning incense to give us a different, sensual experience to feed our creative energy. We are very grateful for the donation of some spectacular classic art prints to hang on the wall of this new art room.

Enjoying the newly dedicated art room

Finally, we have been fortunate enough to have 4 tablets donated by Google for the children to use right across the learning spectrum. Having such up-to-date technology enables us to app-based programmes to enhance learning!

Innovative learning with the new tablets

Stay tuned for more updates soon!

Karibu tena

Education Program Update - Dreams Turned Reality!

July 3, 2014 was the official grand opening of the brand new Iltial Primary School Library! With the presence of MWCT Founder, Luca Belpietro, MWCT President, Samson Parashina, MWCT Education Coordinator, Titus Muia, and Charles and Rita Field-Marsham, the library was officially declared open! A truly exciting day for the community of Iltial, the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, and the whole of Kuku Group Ranch! 

Students of Iltilal Primary School wait patiently for the grand opening! 

You can read more about the library project, funded entirely by the Charles and Rita Field-Marsham Foundation on our previous blog post here! Most importantly, this library is the first of its' kind for the Foundation, focusing primarily on conservation, wildlife, and the environment - aligning seamlessly with the mission of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust!

The library is of stunning construction - beautifully created for the purposes of providing a calming, relaxing, and ideal place for students to expand their knowledge through the use of amazing technologies and materials. The library features a Smart Board (interactive touch screen), two computers with connectivity, plenty of table/chair stations, and beautiful shelves filled with over 2000 brand new books! 

Students and teachers already making use of the new smart board! 

The grand opening event was truly special! Attended by all Iltilal Primary School students, their mothers and fathers, leading community members, staff of MWCT and Campi ya Kanzi, and the Field-Marsham Family. Demonstrations of poetry and traditional dance were enjoyed prior to the official opening.

Iltilal Primary School traditional Maasai dance

The unveiling of the doors, and KEY signature - "Knowledge Empowering Youth"

Below, MWCT President and Chairman, Samson Parshina, and MWCT Founder, Luca Belpietro, share words of appreciation, and  further of encouragement for the students to utilize the library, emphasizing the realization of the distribution of beneficial knowledge for generations to come! 

MWCT Education Coordinator, Titus Muia, opens the ceremony

Across Kuku Group Ranch, 19 primary schools, and 1 secondary school are supported by the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust - with a total of 7000 students enrolled, 50 certified teachers and 10 support staff employed. The opening of this revolutionary facility at Iltilal Primary School will allow for Education to now blossom even further into the region, providing once-unavailable educational opportunities to thousands of students!

Education Program Update - Fulfilling Community Dreams through Education

Improving access to education within the 280 000 acre Kuku Group Ranch and increasing education opportunities and the ability for growth, development, creativity of hundreds of students represents one of the many goals of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.

The exteriors of the brand new library at Iltilal Primary School

Across the Group Ranch, 19 primary schools and 1 secondary school are supported - with a total of 7000 students enrolled, 50 certified teachers, and 10 support staff employed. The launch of a brand new exciting library project at Iltilal Primary School has allowed for education to blossom further into the region. Iltilal Primary School currently has 860 pupils, ranging from nursery school to class 8.

Although its not completely set up yet... it is looking amazing!

This thrilling new project, funded, constructed, and implemented by the Field Marsham Foundation,  is set to have its' grand opening at the beginning of July. The Field Marsham Foundation seeks to communicate the message of "Knowledge Empowering Youth", more specifically by implementing turn-key libraries to schools through their Library Program.

The initial construction of our new library began in October, and it is not approaching its' final steps of completion over the coming months. This library is the first of its' kind for the Field Marsham Foundation. Books were selected carefully and with detail to truly reflect what Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust means. The library is majorly focused on conservation, wildlife, and the environment. Outstanding!

Each library the foundation implements calls for a Library Council. This council is comprised of student representatives from each class from Class 5-8. The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust has hired a librarian, who will be based at the library full-time.

The library council working alongside Niccola Milnes (Programs Manager for the Field Marsham Foundation)

The library is organized in an "untraditional" way compared to many other libraries. It is organized into categories such as "African Animals, Geography, Children from Different Cultures, Funny" and even resources for the teachers to utilize.

When speaking to the new Library Council whilst they were in the process of labelling a portion of the 2000 brand new books, we asked them what they most excited for when the new library opened - "we will have the opportunity to learn more with all of these books". The horizons will be expanded beyond imaginable with the tremendous resources located within this facility.

Shelves of Knowledge!

 MWCT is extremely excited and thankful about this project. Stay tuned to the blog for more progress on the new library and its' grand opening in July!

Education Program Update - Kuku Group Ranch Education Day

Annually, Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trusts hosts a Kuku Group Ranch Education Day. This day celebration is hosted in order to congratulate the school that emerges the best in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations. Elangata Enkima School was the best school in the 2013 KCPE examinations within Kuku Group Ranch!

Students of Elangta Enkima

The ceremony took place last weekend, and was attended by all education stakeholders including, but not limited to: District Education Officers, Member of County Assembly, Government Chiefs, Group Ranch Official, MWCT Officers, Head Teachers from 20 schools in Kuku Group Ranch, Parents, Pupils. 

Elangata Enkima has an enrolment of 934 pupils (470 boys and 464 girls) and has 15 teachers employed. MWCT introduced an academic trophy 4 years ago to promote academic competition within Kuku Group Ranch so as to improve academic performance.

Guests of Honor seated at the celebration

The trophy was first won by Iltilal Primary School, followed by Olorika Primary School in 2011 and 2012. The performance of the top school has improved every year since the introduction of the trophy!

MWCT Eduction Director Titus Muia

Elangata Enkima was also the best school in Loitokitok Central Division and the second best public school in the entire Loitokitok District! Definitely a reason to celebrate!

Awarding of the plaque and trophy by MWCT President Samson Parashina

The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust sends a very heartfelt congratulations to Elangata Enkima School! We are always recognizing that, along with a healthy, sustaining environment necessary for traditional Maasai pastoralist culture and livelihood, one of the top priorities will always be Education. 

Many reasons to celebrate!