Notes from Kenya
Notes from Kenya
Notes from Kenya:
Happy New Year! This note is a special thank you and update about how your support is helping youth and wildlife in Kenya.
“I want to be a park warden and work in Amboseli National Park,” shouted Tulito over the growing noise. Shy Resian wants to study so she can work in a big hotel and learn to speak French and German. Naisandi dreams of being a driver-guide. She wondered aloud why there are no women driving land cruisers in Amboseli. She claims to know all the animals and their behaviour after attending many of CHD conservation camps and visits.
This was part of an excited discussion that took place around the campfire during CHD Conservation Kenya’s camp for youth earlier this month. Thanks to your support of book and print sales in 2022, 38 youth took part in a 3-day conservation and mentorship camp in Amboseli Kenya.
Sharing stories and dreams around the campfire.
I was thrilled to meet three of the girls via a video call during the camp. Their excitement about what they’d learned was palpable. Their dreams are big. They are ambitious, eager to further their education and be part of the solution to lift their families out of a cycle of poverty and integrate positive climate action into their daily lives.
It is not lost on any of these children that the drought in southern Kenya has ravaged their communities. Many of their parents are faced with tough choices. A few of the girls have heard rumours that suitors have already been identified for them. I’ll be posting about this issue in future blogs. Some of the boys are aware if they find sponsorship there will be a chance of attending high school. Their hopes for an economically viable future are slim without secondary school education.
Your support funded CHD’s latest program to expose youth to opportunities and climate action that can make a difference in their lives and the ecosystem. On behalf of the CHD team and the youth a huge Asante Sana!
CHD campers visit Amboseli Park to observe wildlife in their natural setting.
The new year is off to a great start. I'm thrilled to share that my image, “The Wisdom of Elephants” was recently nominated to win a People's Vote Award at the 2023 reFocus Photo Awards. I believe photography can inspire change. A vote for this image is another way to raise awareness that elephants are at risk. I’d be very grateful for your vote of support.
Use the link below to quickly vote. Voting is open until Feb. 1st. Vote early, vote often!
I’ll continue to write stories and post images to support conservation and education about Africa’s iconic wildlife in 2023. I’m collaborating with other writers like Elsie Muliebi, from CHD Conservation Kenya, who contributed to this report. I’m also designing a group safari so we can experience Kenyan wildlife in real life. If you are interested in coming on safari with me this fall let me know!
P.S. Supporters report you need to exit and re-enter the website to vote again the next day. Just reloading the website is insufficient.
https://refocus-awards.com/people-vote-award/the-wisdom-of-elephants