Community Outreach Programme
Although the main focus of work from 1989-2020 was in Mkomazi National Park, Tanzania (which included an extensive outreach programme), the Trust also undertook simultaneous outreach work in the communities surrounding Kora National Park, Kenya. The Trust has supported the communities through:
- Joint projects with African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) focused on relief support, a medical dispensary and Flying Doctor Service clinics visits to Asako village.
- The improvement of water supply and sanitation in Asako village.
- The purchase, construction and installation of a 16ft water windmill pump on on a 30ft tower in Asako village to help with irrigation, agriculture and clean water systems.
- Support for Asako Primary School to improve infrastructure and provision of teaching materials.
The Trust has also worked closely with Trusts for African Schools (TAS), our partner in community conservation for the past 15 years, in the construction and improvement of school infrastructure and water projects in the communities surrounding Kora. TAS has done an incredible job in these remote, poor areas and has provided valuable education initiatives in these communities. TAS is currently supporting 7 schools. TAS and its methods are increasingly being integrated with the Trust and its wider projects. Going forward, the Trust will lead the outreach programme and improve infrastructure in even more schools around Kora National Park.
We have currently identified four additional schools to support; two on the eastern boundary of Kora NP and two on the western boundary of Kora NP commencing at the end of 2024.
The Trust provides employment to the local communities, both on a full and part-time basis.
The Trust has also recently undertaken the following:
- The construction of a kitchen at Kamaguru Primary School
- The construction of two new toilets for Asako Primary School
- Refurbishment of five classrooms at Asako Primary School in partnership with TAS
- Guttering, piping and water storage tank stands x 3 tanks for El Rar Primary School to serve a functioning borehole that has been drilled and sunk through funding from TAS
- Donation of school gates at Kora Secondary school and Mitamisyi Secondary School for the school fencing projects funded by TAS
- Donation of solar lighting for Boka Primary School administration block
- A trip for the students of Boka Primary School to Meru National Park
- A wildlife conservation debate event for selected students from 5 secondary schools
- Three tree planting exercises with Kenya Wildlife Service and the Assistant County Commissioner in the schools to the east and the west of the park
- The connection of a high yield borehole (surveyed and drilled through funding from TAS) to the Kenya Wildlife Service’s platoon base in Asako village which is close to the primary school
- Employment of teams from all the local communities for ongoing road development and bush clearing in partnership with KWS
The Trust will employ staff largely from the local communities for the wildlife recovery programme who will be supported with specific training to enhance their skills and employability.
We are currently in the early stages of collaborative talks on the development of community conservancies.
