Health Update - School Outreaches, Sanitary Pads, and More!

Time for another update on MWCT's Health Program!  It's been a while since we've updated, but it's been a busy and exciting past few months.  We've continued our outreaches to schools all around Kuku Group Ranch, specifically primary schools in Iltilal, Kuku Village, Olorika, Inkisanjani, and Enkusero.  During these outreaches the schoolchildren are gathered together while Lena and Lairumbe give presentations on various health topics.

Lena instructs schoolgirls as to the proper use of sanitary pads.

Often we utilize the Swahili-based TeachAIDS materials on HIV/AIDS prevention, and discuss the effects of puberty, safe sexual practices, proper use of condoms, and more.  We also take the opportunity to dose all students with deworming medicine, protecting them from the harmful long-term effects of worms.  Finally, we discuss the use of cloth sanitary pads for the schoolgirls, and dispense sets of pads so that they can begin using them.

A school full of students closely follows one of MWCT's health presentations.

These cloth sanitary pads are available thanks to MWCT's partnership with a wonderful organization called Huru International.  The pads are sewn by volunteers in the United States to keep costs as low as possible, and then donated to a number of different countries throughout Africa.  MWCT also receives pad donations from another great organization, Pads For Africa.  MWCT asks girls to contribute 200 Kenyan shillings for a year's supply of pads, roughly half the initial cost of the pads.  By charging this small amount for the pads, we give the girls and their families something to invest in, so that they see the value in it.

More than 150 happy schoolgirls pose after receiving their new sanitary pads.

Now instead of staying home to avoid being embarrassed by the effects of puberty, the schoolgirls can confidently stay in school and attend year-round, receiving a better education while also living a healthier lifestyle.  We dispensed a year's supply of pads to more than 200 girls over the past few months, and plan to continue our efforts in the new year - with your help and donations, MWCT's Health Program will be better than ever in 2013.

A group of girls pose with MWCT employees after receiving pads.

Conservation News - Simba Scout Training

The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust's Simba Scouts are a special group of eight Maasai warriors paid to patrol Kuku Group Ranch.  As they traverse the Ranch they record animal sightings and locations, especially lion sightings, and they report this data at the end of every month.  This data is extremely useful to the Trust's Conservation program, allowing our staff to develop better population estimates, wildlife movement patterns, and much more.  

The Simba Scouts study MWCT's new wildlife monitoring protocol during our recent training in Iltilal.

When the Simba Scouts were initially employed by MWCT, they were illiterate because they never had an opportunity to attend school.  In fact, without MWCT they would likely have never been able to find a paying job.  In the early stages of the program the Trust provided our Simba Scouts with basic training in writing their names and simple numbers, so that they knew the basics and could aid in data collection.

A Simba Scout demonstrates how to properly identify and count various animals found on Kuku Group Ranch.

A while ago we gave our Simba Scouts further training, building upon their initial data collection skills.  Seeking to further standardize the Simba Scout's data collection, MWCT worked with the Zoological Society of London to develop a new wildlife monitoring protocol.  We proceeded to teach the Simba Scouts this new protocol, as well as giving them training on how to properly use GPS systems on their walks to provide more accurate location data and allow us to make more effective management decisions.

Our Simba Scouts are now better equipped and prepared to go into the field and return with valuable information.

Finally, we provided the Simba Scouts with user-friendly wildlife data recording sheets, showing pictures of each animal so they are able to collection information on animal population and distribution using the most scientific and relevant methods.  Teaching the Simba Scouts GPS operation and systematic data collection was quite the challenge, but the training went very well and was a huge success - we are proud of our newly empowered employees!

TeachAIDS Blogs About MWCT - Again!

More news from MWCT's Health Program coming soon, but first some more exciting news about expanding news of our efforts!  TeachAIDS, the fantastic organization who first blogged about collaborating with MWCT back in November, has written another blog post about our efforts and how we've been utilizing their materials to improve our Health outreaches and more effectively communicate health concepts to the Maasai.

Schoolchildren watch a TeachAIDS video and participate in a workshop made possible by the program.

TeachAIDS has developed a set of interactive and media-rich teaching applications to educate about the risks of HIV and AIDS.  However, what sets them apart from other organizations is that they produce these materials in Swahili, allowing us to communicate better with the large numbers of Maasai who speak much better Swahili than English.

In their latest blog post, TeachAIDS describes MWCT's use of its materials, and focuses on our work with girls and young women.  As our Health Program Co-Director Lena says, "The room was silent during the viewing as the girls were fully engaged with the TeachAIDS educational program [...] We are so thankful to the TeachAIDS team for developing these life-saving tools for our communities."

http://teachaids.org/blog/teachaids-empowers-girls-in-rural-kenya

First Annual Maasai Olympics - Part III

This is Part III of III in our series on the First Annual Maasai Olympics.  Click here for Part I, and here for Part II of our adventures at this exciting cultural and community event!

A moran jumps in the high jumping competition, thrilling the assembled crowd.

Last but not least was the final event of the day, the traditional high jump.  With the entire audience clustered around the jumping area the morani (warriors) competing  were initially hard to see, but soon they began jumping so high they were easily visible.  Contested from a standing start, the competition measured how high a jumper could reach with his head.  The bar moved up and up, and soon only a few competitors remained.  After a closely-contested jump-off to determine the medals that was followed with bated breath by the crowd, the final order was determined and the winners celebrated and paraded around the grounds.

Gorgeous, brilliantly-colored shukas and intricate jewelry was worn by nearly all attendees.

During a short break the medals podium was set up and the awards ceremony began.  Guests of honor presented many of the medals and cash prizes, including 2012 Champion of the Earth Samson Parashina of MWCT.

Maasai women in bright kanga looking on at the high jumping competition.

After all the individual awards the team trophies were presented, with Mbirikani pulling ahead at the end of the day to take top position.  Olgulului came second, with Rombo and Kuku behind, but it was Mbirikani was led their whole contingent in a great parade around the competition area.

Two young Maasai warriors strain for a better view of the jumping competitors.

The Olympics concluded with short speeches from the guests of honor emphasizing the value of community efforts and the new traditions formed throughout the 1st Annual Maasai Olympics, and then a meal of nyama choma (roast goat) was shared by all.  All told it was an excellent day, with fierce but respectful competition on all sides, and a great spectacle for all who attended.

First Annual Maasai Olympics - Part II

This is Part II of III in our series on the First Annual Maasai Olympics.  Click here to see Part I...

Near the beginning of the 5000m, when it was still a closely-contested race.

Having finished the throwing events the Olympics progressed to the running events, with 800 metre world record-holder, reigning Olympic gold medal champion, and Maasai tribe member David Rudisha serving as honorary guest and race official.  First was the 5000-metre run, contested over 12 1/2 laps on the makeshift 400-metre track lined with cheering spectators.

The beautiful medals given as prizes for the five main events - javelin, rungu, 200m, 5000m, and high jumping.

After some early battling for the lead by a trio of Mbirikani runners, a runner from Rombo took over the race and won handily, by more than 200 metres.  With his victorious race he won a trip to the United States to run in the 2013 New York Marathon, a trip sponsored by the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.  If you would like to join the MWCT Team and run with this proud warrior in November, please follow this blog and check back soon!

After each event, members of the victorious manyatta would storm the field and parade their champion around.

The 5000 metres was followed by the first women's event, the 1500-metre run.  A close-fought race from start to finish, it was a great chance for the young Maasai women to participate in the Olympics as well.  Next came the sprints, with Mbirikani sweeping the top two spots in the 200-metre sprint, and a spirited 100-metre dash from the women.

This is Part II of III in our series on the First Annual Maasai Olympics.  Check back in a couple days for the final installment, Part III...

First Annual Maasai Olympics - Part I

The 1st Annual Maasai Olympics for the Tsavo-Amboseli ecosystem were held on 22nd December 2012, at the Kimana Wildlife Sanctuary near Kimana.  The event was very successful, with exciting competition, a great crowd on hand to enjoy it, and a positive outcome for the entire Maasai community.  Events were contested among four different manyattas (warrior villages) - Kuku, Mbirikani, Olgulului, and Rombo.  Held to create a new, constructive way for young warriors to prove their manhood rather than threaten ecosystem health by killing lions, the Olympics sought to bring the Maasai together in a spirited display of competition and friendship.

The day was bright, the weather perfect, and the crowd enthusiastic and excited for the event.

Each manyatta held local competitions followed by regional events over the past several months to determine their team members for the ecosystem-wide event; each team could enter only a given number in each of the five events.  Sponsored jointly by the Maasailand Preservation Trust, the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, and the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, it was a memorable day and the start of a fantastic new annual tradition.

A warrior captured mid-thrown as he hurls the javelin, hoping to throw it farthest.

The day began with the heats of the 200-metre dash, then progressed to the javelin-throwing and rungu (club)-throwing events.  It was a beautiful day; the track facilities excellent, the spectators enthusiastic, and the competitors striking in their red, blue, yellow, and green uniforms combined with beautiful shukas, kangas, and beaded jewelry on athletes and spectators alike.  The javelin was thrown for distance and the rungu for accuracy; both were close contests, with the rungu coming down to a sudden-death throw-off.  For the first time in the day (though certainly not the last), the winning manyatta paraded around the grounds in celebration, holding their victorious team members aloft on their shoulders - it was quite the sight to see.

A warrior carefully lines up his throw of the traditional rungu club.

This is Part I of III in our series on the First Annual Maasai Olympics.  Parts II and III coming soon!  Check back in a couple days for Part II...

The Year in Conservation

With the year 2012 having recently come to a close, here's a quick recap of the major achievements of MWCT's Conservation Program over the past twelve months.  We experienced major achievements and successes on local, regional, and even international levels.  With your continued support and enthusiasm, we can make 2013 even more successful!

Maasai warriors listen to MWCT verifying officers explaining our Wildlife Pays program.

Local Level

• Our 8 Simba Scouts received training in advanced data collection methods and GPS use

• 7 lion hunts were halted by MWCT verifying officers and Rangers this year; only one lion was speared by Maasai warriors in self-defense while it was preying a cow

• MWCT established regular data sharing (lion observations and camera trap recordings) with nearby eco-tourism lodge Campi ya Kanzi

• 21 arrests were made by our Community Rangers this year
• 4 for elephant poaching
• 4 for bushmeat poaching
• 5 for illegal charcoaling
• 2 for forest destruction
• 6 for sandalwood logging

• We developed and implemented an environmental education curriculum for use in local schools to create conservation awareness and support; our presentations were given to more than 800 students

• 28 conservation outreaches were held in 16 different locations across Kuku Group Ranch, reaching more than 4200 residents through community meetings, discussions, and environmental film screenings

• Our Wildlife Pays program was under its compensation cap for all four quarters of 2012, indicating not only successful management, but also better husbandry by the Maasai

• In collaboration with multinational engineering firm AECOM, MWCT is developing a holistic water management plan for Kuku Group Ranch.  This project will include a wetland restoration project and the construction of pit latrines in several communities, as well as providing the Maasai with clean water sources

• Water use and discharge of springs in the Olpusare-Moilo farming area were recorded and 47 wells were mapped to enhance the Kuku Group Ranch water system model created by AECOM

A Maasai moran participates in the spear-throwing portion of the inaugural Maasai Olympics.

Regional Level

• In collaboration with the Maasailand Preservation Trust and the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, we organised the inaugural Maasai Olympics.  Intended to promote Maasai culture and warrior skills through a sports competition rather than traditional methods such as lion killing, the event was a great success

• Building on our memorandum of understanding with Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), 8 joint patrols were conducted and KWS assisted with four arrests by our Rangers.  We also worked with KWS to expand data and information sharing regarding conservation efforts in the region

• 44 MWCT Community Rangers received professional KWS Ranger training

Samson receiving his Champion of the Earth award from MWCT friend and actor Edward Norton.

International Level

• This summer at Rio+20 MWCT won the UNDP's 2012 Equator Prize and MWCT President Samson Parashina was named a UNDP Champion of the Earth for leading community efforts to conserve the Tsavo-Amboseli ecosystem

• We collaborated with the Zoological Society of London to develop a new wildlife monitoring protocol