Category Archives: Community

Kileva uses carbon credits to construct new classroom

Posted by wlwswp on November 25, 2013 No comments

Kileva Eastfield Primary School is thrilled to announce the construction of its new classroom, thanks to proceeds from their conservation efforts. The stone and iron structure is able to accommodate 40 students, and was built using funds from the sale of carbon credits in the Kasigau REDD+ Project.

The new construction is especially welcomed by school-going children, who previously walked up to 6 km to access neighboring primary schools. This long trek was through wildlife-dense landscape and made even more treacherous by the early morning hours in which the children were traveling. Apart from being dangerous for pupils, the frequent journey between villages was a source of constant conflict between humans and wildlife.

The foundation of the Kileva primary school at Sagalla

According to Johnstone Mwamondo, a manager at the Sagalla Conservation and Development Forum, the construction of the classroom is a major step towards the completion of the school as a whole, which currently admits students up to Standard Six (equivalent to 6^th grade in the US).

“We, the people of Kileva, are proud of the achievement. It is through hard work conserving forests that the new classroom has been constructed. We trust that through continued conservation of our forested areas, we will be able to implement even more projects like this,” says Mr. Mwamondo.

More progress on the Kileva school

The Kileva community borders Sagalla and Mgeno Ranches, which the community works to protect from deforestation and degradation under the REDD+ Project. This is a bold, but vital, step for a community that has been extremely reliant on the surrounding land for its livelihood. Upon the realization that their activities on the land were both illegal and unsustainable, the community agreed to join Wildlife Works and help with their conservation efforts.

After two years of being part of the REDD+ Project, the community knows first hand the benefits of conservation. Apart from the Kileva Eastfield Primary School, there have been several other projects launched and completed in the greater Sagalla area, such as the construction of classrooms in several other schools including Kajire Secondary School, Mwambiti Primary School, and Mchange Pre-school.

The finished school in Kileva

Furthermore, after receiving payments from the selling of carbon credits, a community based organization and locational carbon committee agreed to set aside more than $11,000 for the construction of classrooms at the aforementioned schools. They were also able to disburse scholarships to the most vulnerable children in the community through Wildlife Works Carbon Trust Fund. So far, more than 610 students have received scholarships covering part of school tuition and 9 have received full scholarships. In total, the community has spent $53,658 on scholarships and sponsorship.

Kileva primary school

There is no doubt that Kileva has a bright future, thanks to their decision to to enrich the land around them. Their children have a better chance at education, and their community is more sustainable. We hope our legacy can continue in more African communities so there can be more emphasis on conservation and making Kenya a better place for future generations.

Welcoming Mai Ndombe in the DRC to the Wildlife Works REDD+ Portfolio

Posted by wlwswp on November 11, 2013 No comments

As the largest Sub-Saharan country in Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has a vast array of environments, peoples, wildlife, and politics. The province of Bandundu, located on the west of the country, is the most densely forested province and is highly coveted by the lumber industry. It is currently home to many animal species such as man’s closest relative (and cousin to the Chimpanzee), the endangered Bonobo.

A Bonobo. Photo by realanimalslife.com

The region is also home to many other animals such as forest elephants and leopards, as well as an abundance of diverse and rare native plant species. These animals and forests, not to mention the local peoples, are under threat due to the increasing demand for high valued timber from the lumber industry, and their unsustainable forest practices.

Wenge Tree. Photo by end-newswire.com

Logging companies desire this area largely due to its high density of Wenge trees – a highly valuable and beautiful tree – where in the Mai Ndombe region it is the most abundant in all of central Africa. Following logging, a cascade of events ultimately leading to deforestation, threatens this region as it has affected so many others in DR Congo. Compounded by intensive and unsustainable hunting, agriculture, and other pressures on the land, the area is in need of protection.

Kids playing in the water at Bosongo Village in the project area

Thankfully for both the environment and the people of the area, Wildlife Works has acquired the “exploitation rights” (including the rights to the carbon), of two large logging concessions in the province adjacent to Lac Mai Ndombe. Instead of being logged, Wildlife Works has created a “conservation covenant” on the concessions totaling nearly 300,000ha of forest land. This is a little larger than the size of Luxembourg.

The area is now protected for the duration of the 30-Year carbon project. Historically this area has been a habitat for an array of forest types, plant species, animals and habitats. It is also home to over 30,000 Congolese who work hard to survive their version of the difficult African lifestyle.

One of the two schools the project has built located in the village of Lokanga.The chief of the village stands at the center of the photo.

In December of 2012 the project was awarded the first ever CCBA and VCS accreditation in DR Congo. Wildlife Works began selling offsets which will fund the further development of many activities for forest protection and betterment of livelihoods in the project and surrounding areas. The project has already accomplished many things in a short time including the construction of two schools, the implementation of a mobile medical clinic, distributed school supplies, and established several agroforestry sites and demonstration gardens to help diversify and improve nutrition in the area.

A young lucena for agroforestry plots

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new Wildlife Works Carbon initiative.

Getting to know Daniel Munyao: Wildlife Works EPZ Factory Manager

Posted by wlwswp on November 7, 2013 No comments

In our latest who’s who profile series, we caught up with Daniel Munyao, production and quality control manager at the Wildlife Works EPZ factory. Daniel was born in Machakos County and recalls his early life as a constant struggle for survival. He frequently went to school hungry and without shoes on his feet. At a young age, Daniel was forced to stop attending due to the high financial stress it put on his parents.

Daniel is a proud supervisor at Wildlife Work’s eco factory

Fortunately soon after, a humanitarian organization called World Vision that had begun to form a presence in the area, was sponsoring young people to study vocational courses in a local polytechnic attached to the village’s school. Although he had no distinct career path in mind, Daniel decided to enroll in the program to study textile tailoring. Daniel remembers, “When I was in Primary School, I had a friend whose brother was a tailor, and we would spend most of the weekend at his tailoring shop. This made me fall in love with tailoring.”

Daniel at EPZ factory checkin some finished t-shirts

Daniel discussing finished tees with his workers

Once he was through with his training, Daniel set out for Nairobi in search of employment. He started as a tailor in a local clothing factory, as well as working as a shoe mender. Eventually Daniel joined Tinga Tinga Clothing Limited where he rose in the ranks to become a senior supervisor after 10 years.

In September 2002, while reading the newspaper, Daniel came across an advertisement to become a manager at Wildlife Works EPZ clothing factory, which at the time employed less than 10 seamstresses. Due to his passion for wildlife conservation, Daniel decided to apply for the position. Eleven years later, Daniel is still an integral factor in the day-to-day running of the factory.

Daniel aspires to be a fashion designer one day

When asked about his future plans, Daniel has one thing to say: “I would one day love to see the words, ‘Designed by Daniel Munyao’ on a major clothing label, I would love to learn fashion design!” It is evident by the success Daniel has gained relative to his humble background that he is capable of anything he puts his mind to. Daniel attributes his career growth to patience and the ability to face challenges head-on, as well as to his friend’s brother, and mentor, with whom Daniel constantly measured his progress and growth.

African Buffalo Rescue

Posted by wlwswp on October 23, 2013 No comments

African buffaloes, which are known to be among the most vicious and ruthless species in the animal kingdom, can be highly unpredictable. While few would risk their lives to get close to one of these beasts, the wildlife rangers at Rukinga Ranch were recently left with little choice when a female African Buffalo was discovered trapped in a water tank. Those who assisted in her rescue assume the unfortunate buffalo was accidently knocked off balance while its herd was drinking from the tank.

The buffalo growing tired after the tank is filled

With help from our team in the office, Wildlife Works rangers agreed that the most effective way to rescue the ill-fated buffalo was to fill the water tank to the brim until the buffalo floated to a position where its massive body could be pulled or lifted to safety.

When the water tank finally began to overflow, our very own Conservation Landscape Manager, Fraser Smith, made the bold decision to pull the massive buffalo from the water tank. In order to do so, Fraser and the team fastened a rope around the exhausted buffalo and covered its eyes with a cloth.

Wildlife Works crew fastening the rope to pull the buffalo to safety

After the first two attempts, during which it inadvertently came loose, the rope was then strapped to the buffalo’s horns. After more than nine exhausting hours, the buffalo was momentarily stunned when it found itself outside the tank, but quickly returned to its vicious nature. Once it regained energy the buffalo immediately began to charge its rescuers, denting a vehicle and piercing a tire with its sharp horns, then disappeared into the bushes before the David Sheldrick Trust Team were able to sedate it and uncoil the rope from around its horns.

The rescue mission, not unlike another mission to rescue a baby elephant that had been stuck in the mud at Mgeno Ranch, represents the delicate interplay between humans and wildlife.

Ijema Returns to Work after an Incredible Recovery

Posted by wlwswp on October 17, 2013 3 comments

On July 10^th, Ijema was welcomed back into the Wildlife Works ranks after a nearly 18-month recovery following a gruesome poaching-related incident in which he received a bullet wound to his shoulder. The catastrophe, which was the first time in Wildlife Works’ 15 years of operation that an employee was lost to a poaching-related incident, also lead to the death of ranger, Abdullahi Mohammed.

Ijema and his family are happy to report tremendous improvements to his health after undergoing an operation to have a replacement titanium plate fitted to increase the mobility in his shoulder.

Ijema after his successful shoulder surgery

Those working close with him report a jubilant Ijema who has come back with renewed vigor. “Ijema is feeling much better and livelier,” says Eric, the head ranger. “We are putting him on light duties until we are assured that he is strong enough to start taking on more demanding duties.”

Ijema, who currently spends most of his time doing patrols with Eric, was among a team of WW rangers and KWS officers tracking poachers after the discovery of a wounded elephant in the Kasigau Corridor project area.

Only wildlife rangers, such as Ijema, are experienced enough to get this close to an elephant

An optimistic Ijema expressed appreciation for U.S. government efforts, such as President Obama’s formation of a Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking and his pledge to donate $10 million towards combating crimes against wildlife, to eliminate the ruthless killing of elephants and other rare wildlife.

Our rangers indeed report that there have been fewer cases of poaching reported around the Wildlife Works project area after the government launched a major security operation to eliminate nomadic herders from the ranches.

Ijema with colleagues after he was able to return to work

“I am grateful to be coming back to work at a time when fewer cases of poaching have been reported in the last few months,” says Ijema.

“I realize and appreciate the efforts that everyone concerned is putting into place to eliminate poaching from our wildlife sanctuaries and make them a better place for both the wildlife and the communities that live around them, “ concludes Ijema.

Poachers Threaten More Than Just Our Wildlife

Posted by wlwswp on July 24, 2013 No comments

Not only are wildlife criminals heavily armed and extremely dangerous, the threat of violence from poachers is not limited to the slaughter of animals. Recently, the gruesome murder of a young man in Maungu Ranch has put an entire community on edge.

The body of motorcycle operator William Kiroka Mambo was discovered near the Maungu Ranch in June, 2013. According to one of the other boda boda (motorcycle) operators, “At around eleven o’clock on Thursday night, two people of Somali origin made a stop at the motorcycle stage where they requested a ride to their destination.” Reportedly, many of the boda boda operators were not eager to take up the men’s offer, but after hushed negotiations with one of the passengers Mr. Mambo, against the advice of his peers, agreed to taxi the two passengers to an undisclosed location along the power lines (roughly 1 kilometer from the motorcycle stage).

That was the last that was seen of him until he was discovered the following morning, with a bullet hole to the forehead.

The motivation for such a grisly murder is unknown, but residents can only speculate that during the drive, Mr. Mambo may have got word of some information that his passengers would have preferred to keep secret.

The murder comes in the midst of a government security operation to flush out nomadic livestock communities from the ranches in Taita-Taveta County. Most of the ranches in Taita-Taveta County form the major migratory routes for elephants and other wildlife moving across the Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks. Over the past ten years, the ranches have attracted nomadic herders, most of who are of Somali origin, driving their livestock across the land. Kenya Wildlife Services and various security agencies have begun cracking down on poachers masquerading as herders to gain access to wildlife migrating across conservation land.

Concerns have also been raised over a possible connection between the herders and the poachers, with some residents alleging that the nomadic herders help to conceal the activities of the poachers. Our own Wildlife Works rangers have faced difficulty attempting to track the footprints of known poachers after the tracks have become mixed up with those of the herders, or obscured by the hoof prints of livestock.

The Kenyan government’s operation has created a volatile environment around our project area, and residents of the towns around the parks have been warned to be particularly careful and to avoid putting themselves in compromising situations. Recently, Wildlife Works’ Head Ranger Eric Sagwe led a security meeting with the police, Marungu Ward County Representative Paul Waweru Kang’ethe, the area’s administrative chief and Wildlife Works security representatives to discuss security concerns in the area and advise attendees on how to keep themselves safe.

During the meeting, it was brought up that wildlife poachers have been using some motorcycle operators as getaway channels. The tragic death of one of their own, coupled with the warnings and advice given at the security meeting, has served to reinforce the serious danger that boda boda operators may be putting themselves into by engaging in illegal activities.

We at Wildlife Works encourage our people to avoid risks, stay safe, and hope that the Kenyan government’s efforts will be effective in reducing violence for both people and wildlife alike.

Elizabeth Juma Mwamkono: Utilizing an Opportunity

Posted by wlwswp on July 10, 2013 1 comment

Elizabeth Juma Mwamkono, a seamstress in our eco-factory, can attest that life needs to be faced with every ounce of courage that can be mustered. Born and raised in Taru, Mombasa County, Elizabeth has faced a number of challenges in her life.

Elizabeth said that while she was growing up, many of the young people in her neighborhood, faced with uncertain futures due to financial hurdles, turned to prostitution, drug abuse and violence. She was determined not to fall into these traps, and decided to focus her efforts on getting an education. Liz remembers being sent away from school frequently due to lack of funds, but even her prolonged absences from the classroom could not dim her hope of one day being a significant contributor to her society. If anything, Liz asserts, the absenteeism added to her determination to make something out of her life. She borrowed textbooks and notes from friends and neighbors, absorbing every detail in them.

The years of hard work finally paid off when Elizabeth sat for her O Level exams in 2002, and was named one of the top-performing students in her location! “I couldn’t believe it when I saw my [Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education] results,” Liz recalls jubilantly. “At last my hopes had been fanned. I was flying high. The world was all mine for the taking.”

Unfortunately, financial restrictions forced Liz to attend a technical college rather than follow her dreams of academia. For two years, Liz studied as a machinist apprentice at the Mazeras NIT EPZ, where she learned sewing and many other skills. After completing her training Liz joined the great populace of Kenyans who are perpetually seeking for employment. Having worked so hard, she was determined not to be another statistic of unemployed youth.

Liz found work at two textile companies before joining Wildlife Works in May of 2006 as one of the pioneer employees of the Wildlife Works Apparel eco-factory. She describes the pride she gets when watching western celebrities on TV and realizing that some of the clothes they wear have actually passed through her hands.

She is also proud of being associated with the company that is doing much to protect the ecosystem, saying, “Working for a company that has the best interests of the ecosystem gives me a lot of pride and hope. I hope that my son can live in a healthy environment, free of pollutants.”

Liz’s work in the Wildlife Works eco-factory has taught her how to utilize self-drive to get things done, and has rid her of some of the financial worries that trounced her as she was growing up. We are proud to have such a dedicated person on our team.

Building the Future: Residents of Mwatate Get A Taste Of Wildlife Works REDD

Posted by wlwswp on June 24, 2013 2 comments

Residents of the town of Mwatate have joined the other Taita County communities who can say, without a doubt, that environmental conservation pays well. The latest project funded by carbon credits, which was officially opened on June 8th, is expected to increase the community’s enthusiasm for taking care of the environment.

The project involved building a modern classroom at Mwatate secondary school, which cost approximately $10,000 (Ksh 800,000). Taita Taveta County’s Deputy Governor, Mrs. Mary Digha, was guest of honor at the event and hailed the classroom, which can accommodate up to 40 students, as being in line with the Ministry of Education’s specifications for building classrooms.

“The Kenya Ministry of Education requires that classrooms be large enough to accommodate many students who are joining the public schools,” Mrs. Digha said.

Mrs. Mary Digha (left) Deputy Governor Taita-Taveta County, with Mrs. Lenjo-headmistress, Mwatate Secondary School during the opening of the building.

The new classroom at Mwatate Secondary School is just the icing on the cake. There are numerous other Wildlife Works projects currently in progress around the towns of Mwatate and Mwachabo. The projects include the construction of a classroom valued at $9,000 at Mngama Primary School, the construction of a staff room, classroom and toilet facilities at Shigadi ya Mwemba Primary School, the building of a water chamber and rehabilitation of the existing water pipeline at Ngangu and the allocation of school bursaries to needy students.

Mngama Primary School will receive a new classroom.

The Residents of Mwatate have also applauded the speed at which Wildlife Works responded to an emergency that left one school in the area without a roof. Muzanwenyi Primary School was at the receiving end of a gusty wind that left it roofless, calling for the intervention of our skilled builders. Wildlife Works deployed a team to carry out the repairs, and the construction team is still camping at the school until they finish installing a more reinforced roof.

After a windy storm left Muzanwenyi Primary School without a roof, Wildlife Works sent a construction team to repair the school.

In total, the Mwatate community, which joined the Wildlife Works REDD+ Carbon Project in 2011, has been able to initiate projects worth more than $150,000 in the past year with a high percentage of this amount going towards offering bursaries to students. Funding for these projects and bursaries is obtained directly from the sale of carbon credits. There is therefore a need for the community to continue protecting trees and looking after the local wildlife-rich Mgeno Ranch, in Mwatate.

All work and no play? Wildlife Works donates Phys. Ed. clothing to students!

Posted by wlwswp on June 11, 2013 No comments

Physical Education is an important part of the curriculum that we offer to children who attend our on-site nursery at Wildlife Works. Unfortunately, too often a lack of play clothes hinders the children’s full participation, and dusty school uniforms only add to the parents’ burdens.

To increase participation in our P.E. program, Wildlife Works has decided to donate two t-shirts and a pair of shorts to each student. The clothing was manufactured at our eco-factory, where many of the students’ parents are employed. Each item is made of cotton and features the Wildlife Works’ elephant logo.

The new play clothes were received with joy and appreciation by parents, students and teachers alike! The items will not only let the children exercise and play in comfort, but will also ease the burden on parents who have had to wash extremely dusty school uniforms. By donating the clothes, Wildlife Works also hopes to extend the durability of the kids’ school uniforms, which will go a long way in reducing parent’ expenses.

As we continue to look after the needs of our community members, we wish the children a happy day. After all, all work and no play makes Jack (or Jill) a dull child!

Students play in their new Wildlife Works P.E. clothes

Students enjoy their new P.E. clothes

Kindergarten students enjoy their new P.E. clothes

Smiling faces!

Students show off their new white Wildlife Works t-shirts and shorts.

Students show off their new black Wildlife Works t-shirts and shorts.

Wildlife Works’ Big Day Out!

Posted by wlwswp on April 3, 2013 1 comment

Wildlife Works’ regional directors from around the world, with the REDD+ directors from the U.S. and Kenya offices, and the top performers from each department of our Kenyan Project, gathered for an educational day of exploration in and around the rural communities we serve!

The aim of this big day was for the directors of REDD+ projects and Wildlife Works employees to experience the beauty of rural Kenya, to learn about the community projects we have already accomplished, and to get to know the local residents and hear their needs for future community projects.

Everyone gathered at Camp Kenya, an eco-tourism site on our land, and divided into 6 teams with 6 or 7 people per team. The event was made up of multiple challenges including a treasure hunt, sightseeing, a community questionnaire and a scavenger hunt. Each team was equipped with a map of our project area in southeast Kenya, a GPS and a list of questions.

The teams visited 5 ranches, Rukinga, Taita, Mgeno, Kambanga and Maungu, located close to our project area.

For the treasure hunt, the teams were instructed to travel to certain GPS points and find a clue that would direct them to the location of the treasure. For example, at Mawe Mrefu, once the team reached the GPS location they discovered a riddle that read:

“Beneath the tree,
On top of the rock.
If you can’t find me,
A baboon’s knocked me off!”

The treasure was a cache of soapstone coasters in a variety of colors. The goal of the treasure hunt was for each group to collect a full set of matching coasters by the end of the day.

Each group’s starter kit included a community questionnaire that would help the teams discover what’s new in Kasigau, ask for the local peoples’ thoughts about our current REDD+ projects and find out what additional community projects they would like to see in the future.

The questionnaire led the teams to the Marungu Secondary School, the Makwasinyi water tank, the Buguta Disabled Group at Buguta Community Library, Ranger Post 6.0, the Amy Nicholls Memorial Centre in Bungule, Kasigau Chief Kizaka’s office, the Marungu Hill Conservancy Association, and the Jora Women’s Basket Group, where team members could take a break for lunch. The Women’s Basket Group welcomed each team with traditional dancing, and some of the directors and managers joined in!

Wildlife Works founder Mike joins in the dancing with the ladies from Jora!

For the scavenger hunt, teams had to purchase or find specific items throughout the day. The groups were given some money to buy a stuffed animal from the Buguta Disabled Group and a basket from the Jora Women’s Group. Team members also needed to find an herbivore tooth, a twig of Acacia Tortilis (also known as the Umbrella Thorn tree), some frankincense resin from a Boswellia tree, and some elephant dung.

Team members could collect points for spotting wildlife while on their journey, and many got to see African elephants, giraffes, buffalo, lions and various species of birds. The employees spent the day hiking on red sandy soil, climbing up hills to take photos and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

The finish line was at the Susana Bar in Maungu where the teams trickled in and relaxed over drinks and stories about the day. Wildlife Works’ Conservationist Manager Cara Braund, who organized the event, tallied up each groups’ total points and chose a winner. Landscape Manager Danny Woodley’s team won, though all teams were acknowledged for an element they performed well.

The winning team received a hand-stitched Panamanian decorative piece of fabric traditionally worn as a front panel on clothing, which will be on display at the Kenya office.

Lider Sucre, Regional Director for Latin America, said, “The sites we visited, the community people we spoke with, the amazing wildlife, and getting to know the Rukinga team really made a big difference for me in understanding the project and our impact. For instance, it was EXCELLENT that I was teamed up with Bernard, Lenjo, Muhammed and Brown for the treasure hunt. I got to know their personalities and their superb attitudes. Bernard really excelled at identifying wildlife and Lenjo was so gracious with greeting all the different community members. I got to see them in their element and appreciate their vocation and dedication.”

Wildlife Works Blog

Category Archives: Community

Kileva uses carbon credits to construct new classroom

Welcoming Mai Ndombe in the DRC to the Wildlife Works REDD+ Portfolio

Getting to know Daniel Munyao: Wildlife Works EPZ Factory Manager

African Buffalo Rescue

Ijema Returns to Work after an Incredible Recovery

Poachers Threaten More Than Just Our Wildlife

Elizabeth Juma Mwamkono: Utilizing an Opportunity

Building the Future: Residents of Mwatate Get A Taste Of Wildlife Works REDD

All work and no play? Wildlife Works donates Phys. Ed. clothing to students!

Wildlife Works’ Big Day Out!

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