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

Health Program Update: Community Health Workers Forum

Last month, the Maasai Wilderness Conservation department hosted the inaugural Kuku Health Workers Forum at the Chyulu Hills Conservation and Research Centre (CCRC). This forum sought to bring together all clinical staff working in the five health facilities within Kuku Group Ranch. 

Dr. Gabriel speaks on behalf of MWCT

The need for such a meeting arose from the recent transfers of the new health staff to three new health facilities. The forum also acted as a platform for presentations and comparisons in performance of health delivery indices such as immunization coverage, hospital deliveries, and uptake in family planning methods. 

All those in attendance at the Health Workers Forum

During the forum, health staff and invited guests learnt about the organizational structure, mission, goals, and health priorities of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Partner non-governmental organizations working in Kuku Group Ranch, named Dorcas Aid International and Malteser International also had the opportunity to present their activities. The Ministry of Health Kajaido County Office was represented by Mr. Orundu (Sub-County Disease Surveillance Officer). 

A representatives from Dorcas Aid Internationals speaks about their programs and activities in the area

A continuing medical education session was conducted  by Dr. Edward Omete (a medical officer working in Loitokitok). Health workers learnt about the differentiation of the various causes of early pregnancy and new approaches to treatment. 

Together with the collaboration and understanding of local partners, MWCT continually strives to bring adequate and accessible health care to the community of Kuku Group Ranch!

Conservation Program Update: Kuku Grass Seed Bank Taking Shape!

We are thrilled to provide you with an extensive update on the progress of the Grass Seed Bank project in Kuku village! The Grass Seed Bank Project, located in Kuku village, centrally located on Kuku Group Ranch, will seek not only to empower local women to generate a sustainable form of income, but also create awareness in local communities of the benefits of rangeland protection and restoration. 

The official Grass Seed Bank women's group gathers to discuss the purpose, aims, and benefits of the project

Kick starting the project, after the initial installation of the infrastructure for the fence, community meetings took Kuku by storm! After the community was introduced to the project idea in December of 2014, an additional community gathering was held at the beginning of February. Community leaders, members, government officials gathered to discuss the timeline in the coming proceedings and developments, and members to be involved. 

The 20 women members of Kuku who compile the Grass Seed Bank women's group

Further, an inaugural meeting was held with the women's group in charge of the grass seed bank on February 18. A total of 20 women were chosen from the community to be members of the project, to  to take ownership, manage it, and benefit from it. The timeline moving forward was discussed, and the women communicated extensive gratefulness and anticipation for the coming results! 

Ploughing of the approximate 40 acre grass seed 

The ploughing for preparation of the land was completed over a span of four days. Using two bulls, ploughing was done to ensure the creation of a desirable soil for the seeds to germinate and grow. 

Proper sowing techniques were demonstrated and practiced

On February 18 following the meeting, the 20 women were trained by two representatives from the Kenya Agriculture Research Institute (KARI) on proper sowing techniques, seed division and seed segregation. The training was very well received and it was very evident in the successful continuation of the sowing process. 

The women practice sewing the seeds in an effective way

The grass seeds differed in preparation, here KARI representative demonstrates the preparation of the horse-tail grass

Seed preparation was completed by the end of February and fence construction commenced immediately! The portable solar electric fence spans the whole perimeter of the grass bank. The grass bank is guarded 24 hours by a local watchman, responsible for communicating messages to the community of the dangers of the electric fence whilst also ensuring the herding of livestock is avoided in the area within the proximity of the fence.

The fence will seek to keep out wildlife and livestock while giving time for the grasses to grow to their full potential. Upon growth in the coming weeks, controlled grazing will be permitted within the grass seed bank, allowing for healthy growth and proper re germination.

A completed solar electric fence!

Moving forward, the community of Kuku, and the Grass Seed Bank women's group anticipate a generous rainy season in the coming weeks so the grasses can grow! We are thrilled to see this project coming together for this community, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of land restoration and protection! Stay tuned for more updates as we wait for the rains! 

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.

Conservation Program Update - Rangeland Management Plan

The MWCT conservation team recently conducted a rangeland baseline survey in Kuku Group Ranch to assess grass cover.  Results of the survey showed that most of Kuku Group Ranch suffers from low grass cover and overgrazing.  MWCT will combat this problem by developing a participatory rangeland management plan in partnership with the local Maasai community.  This plan will aim to  prevent overgrazing, to reduce erosion, and to increase productivity of semi-arid land.

Rangeland baseline survey results: This map of Kuku Group Ranch shows the percentage of grass cover in the different rangeland survey plots. The number indicated above each pie chart is the measured percentage of grass cover in that specific plot.

Richard Hatfield and John Oitaos of Natural Capital East Africa are collaborating with MWCT to develop the rangeland management plan.  In mid-October, Richard, John, and the MWCT conservation team held a three-day workshop to lay out the details of the plan to the community.

John Oitaos from Natural Capital East Africa taught Kuku community members
about the different mechanisms of a holistic grazing management plan.

MWCT is also setting up a grass seed bank near the town of Kuku to reintroduce grass to an overgrazed area and to produce grass seed that can be sown in other areas.  A Maasai women’s group will be engaged to manage the area and to harvest and sell the seeds.  In this way, the project will empower local women, build their capacity in the community, and provide them with income through grass seed sales.  Because animal husbandry is essential to the Maasai way of life, MWCT is partnering with the community to improve rangeland management and to secure a healthy future for the pastoralist community.

The contrasting rangeland conditions on Kuku Group Ranch: Overgrazed rangeland in Samai (left)
and the healthy rangeland in the Chyulu Hills (right).

Education Program Update - New Term at the Kanzi Academy!

The Kanzi Academy is now back in term for the New Year, and Head Teacher Sarah has some creative and innovative thoughts to share with us on the upcoming weeks! Welcome back Kanzi Academy!

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Happy New Year! The holidays are over and we are all back at school ready for lots of teaching, learning, and fun! the children all appear to be happy, keen, and well rested and are looking forward to lots of new things this half term. So, without further ado, let me give you a general breakdown of what we will be doing!

English this half term sees us re-capping nouns, verbs, and adjectives and of course, we will continue to focus on sentence writing and story sequencing. Adding verb tenses (past, present, and future) will be a useful challenge as this will add dimension to the children's writing. Vocabulary building is ongoing, and plays an important part of day-to-day reading and writing. We will be looking at syllables, poetry, and classic fairy tales, such as "The Three Billy Goats Gruff", and "The Little Red Hen". Not only are these stories and absolute must and 'right of passage' in children's literature, they will form the basis for our Spiritual Education - as these stories rely on 'right and wrong' and 'making the right choices'. There will be many questions and 'what ids' so that we can have good debates about the choices and endings of these stories and how we might make them differently by exploring alternative options! In addition, we will be recapping the days of the week, 'weather words' and parts of the body.

In History, we will look at the late Nelson Mandela - Madiba. The children will have the opportunity to research and learn about this iconic man. They will make a time line of major achievements in his life and celebrate him as an African leader. We will also be using one of his quotes: "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world" as a point for debate!

Geography is all about countries, capitals, climates, and culture. We will take three countries (students' choice) to explore. We will look at differences and similarities between the environment we are in and the countries we have chosen, and discuss what it might be like to live there. We'll look at flags, food, and families too! Wow!

Art takes us up close and personal with The BIG FIVE and BIG ART. We will be looking at the Big Five in Kenya; the lion, the leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. We will work collaboratively to creative big, exaggerated animal heads that will be displayed at school. The art emphasis will be on textures, prints, and patterns, so drawing on what we learned and the knowledge we have from last term.

Physical Education, as ever, will see us continue with swimming, horse riding, music/movement, yoga, and meditation. On top of this, Phillip continues his wonderful PE curriculum with outdoor skills, which this term includes hand-ball, volleyball, soccer skills and athletics to name a few.

Math as always is eclectic! We will (and always will) be recapping times tables, mental maths, and basic arithmetic in a broad way. Numbers are not just about sums on a board.. we have to explore problems and problem solving and apply maths to everyday situations. We are going to be looking at 5, 6, and 7 sided shapes as well as 3D shapes. We will take walks to look at where we can find these shapes in our environment as well as making them from different materials.

Phillip takes Class 2 on the scientific journey through comparing living and non-living things, weather symbols, charts and appropriate dress/clothing for such weather, basic needs of both humans and animals with comparisons between each, external parts of the human body and how to maintain its health.

Kiswahili as ever, introduces new and recaps familiar vocabulary, grammar, and spelling strategies. It is interesting in this age group how English and Kiswahili mirror each other a great deal.

Social Studies looks at travelling safely to and from school and the dangers we may encounter along the way (zebra, giraffe...), as well as asking questions such as, "How do we keep ourselves safe?". Phillip will also be introducing the topic of dangerous insects and dangerous/poisonous plants around the school. Something very useful in the Kenyan savannah!

So, from all of us here at Kanzi Academy, Karibu tena, and keeping popping back to check from more weekly updates and photos!

Kindest wishes, Sarah

Lion Collaring Expedition - Day One

Continued description of the intricate lion collaring process that occurred just recently. This is what happened on Day 1!

In the morning before the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) vet arrived, MWCT rangers discovered zebra carcass close to the Chyulu Conservation and Research Center (CCRC). It was not killed by predators, but died of natural cause and it looked like perfect lion bait. In the late afternoon, when the KWS vet arrived, he inspected the carcass and rejected it, as it might have died from anthrax - a dangerous but common disease among wildlife in Kenya.

On the first night of the collaring operation, we went to the airstrip of Campi ya Kanzi and played sounds of warthogs, buffalos in distress, and feeding hyenas to attract lions within the vicinity. Except for over 10 spotted hyenas and a pair of black-backed jackals, no lions showed up (although we were pretty certain they were in the area as there had been regular sightings by Simba Scouts and Campi ya Kanzi personnel). There can be many reasons for a lion not responding to a calling station. When lions are full after feeding on a carcass, it is likely that they will not respond to a buffalo calf or a warthog in distress. Furthermore, lions can move large distances during one night (more than 15 km) and resting places can be different every day. After 4 hours of calling, we decided to relocate to a new position.

This map indicated the locations of the calling stations.
The yellow circles indicate calling station positions without lion sightings. The pins indicate the positions where fresh lion tracks were found; blue pins vare verified observations by conservation managers; organs pins are Simba Scout lion observations; green pins are community observations; and red pins indicate location of livestock predation incident by lions

The second position was closer to the seasonal river. Again, drooling spotted hyenas came running towards the sound, expecting a nice meal. After 4 hours of calling, there was still no sign of any lions. We decided to try our last location near Longido to attract some of the lions that have visited the waterhole at Campi ya Kanzi the previous week. During this call up, heavy rains set in and after an hour it was decided to call it a day and go back to camp. The rains prevented the sounds from travelling a big distance and the visibility became constrained.

After this first night, we realized that the task to collar lions on Kuku Group Ranch is by no means an easy one...

Stay tuned to the blog for what happened next!

Maasai in 2013 New York Marathon

In December 2012, MWCT held the inaugural Maasai Olympics where our friends at AECOM provided the winner of the 5000 meter race with an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to run the New York Marathon. The winer was Jacob Lamaron, from a small village in Rombo, near Kuku Group Ranch. Having never been out of Kenya before, Jacob was demonstrated excitement to run for MWCT in this special way.

Competitors in last years' Maasai Olympics

In 2009, the New York Marathon was a monumental occasion for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, and three other Maasai warriors. Edward Norton, President of the US Board for MWCT, hosted three local Maasai, along with Luca Belpietro, in New York. The purpose of this adventure was to raise funds for the Trust through Edward Norton’s established website CrowdRise. The fundraising efforts were extraordinarily successful, raising over $1 million for MWCT. You can read more about the marathon of 2009 right here.

Due to it’s success in 2009, MWCT wanted to keep it’s presence in the marathon by continuing to send local Maasai to have the chance to run in the marathon that contributed to so much success for this community. Although Jacob was chosen to run in the marathon many months ago, it was by no means an easy journey to get him to New York for November 3.

Jacob - 2013 Maasai marathon competitor

Jacob is from a very small village and grew up in the Maasai community his whole life. He would first need a birth certificate, a passport, and a visa, a treacherous journey of its own. After months of working, and thanks to the tireless work of MWCT's team, including our friend, former US Ambassador to Kenya, Mark Bellamy who was able to help by speeding up the Visa process, and on Thursday Oct 31st, Jacob had his visa and boarded his first-ever plane and landed in NYC at 5 pm on Friday November 1st!

By keeping many of the other details out, it was a very long process that involved contact with many connections, in Kenya and in the United States. However, it is evident in a situation like this, that true kindness and generosity can be seen through the works of many people to create an everlasting memory for one man.

Absorbing the sights of New York and riding the subway

In only two hours after landing, Jacob met US MWCT Board President, Edward Norton and the entire MWCT Marathon team at out pre-race event at Modo Yoga in Manhattan. The next day was full of new experiences: a bagel breakfast, Times Square, first subway ride, and at last, ending with a large spaghetti dinner.

The US MWCT team couldn't get enough of Jacob. The connection to all that MWCT does, thought Jacob, was tangible and incredibly motivating for all that met him.

Jacob on the ferry to the marathon starting line!

Bib numbers in hand! Ready to run...

The next morning was marathon day! Jacob is truly talented and had an amazing marathon time of 2 hours 20 minutes in the Chyulu Hills while practicing here in Kenya. But unfortunately because it was not an official race, Jacob was not qualified to start earlier than the other thousands of recreational runners. Jacob started with the "herd" of runners at 10:30 a.m..

Despite all these circumstances, he was running at an astounding pace, averaging six minute miles until the 10 kilometre mark, in which he unfortunately sustained an slight knee injury that caused his pace to slow down. His finishing time for the total marathon distance of 42 kilometres was 2 hours and 58 minutes. An unbelievable time! Although Jacob said he was not very happy with his time, it was truly remarkable to place under 3 hours for having travelled multiple hours, along with experiencing a different culture, eating different food, running with different shoes, and running on pavement!

Sampling Gatorade flavours post-marathon 

Fortunately Jacob is recovering well from his slight injury, and had the warmest support from many people in New York that were there to run alongside him, or to just cheer him along.

Relaxing in the morning the day after the marathon

MWCT and the entire Marathon team are forever inspired by Jacob's courage and determination. If you would be interested in running on the MWCT NYC Marathon team, please email mwct.team@gmail.com. We can't wait for 2014!

A big thank you must be extended to ALL of those in New York, the AECOM team, and the rest of those in the US who helped make Jacob's experience a successful and memorable one. All of us here at MWCT were very excited to welcome Jacob home! Please enjoy the video below of Jacob being welcomed home by the President of MWCT, Samson Parashina!

You can find the video on YouTube here: Welcome Home Jacob