HOT NEWS!!
Construction of the new 'Maarifa House' is almost complete
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Our program of tailored Education for Conservation activities and sustainability projects aim to improve livelihoods through sustainable living and protection of the natural environment. Empowering students with knowledge and opportunity, we cultivate a genuine passion for the environment. By facilitating conservation, we enhance the livelihoods of the students and their families, which in turn helps wildlife and protects habitat.
We currently support two schools – Illoirero Primary School in Kajiado (Amboseli Ecosystem), and Kishermoruak Primary School in Narok (Mara Ecosystem). Both schools are located on the borders of important wildlife conservancies, owned by the local maasai people.
About Selenkay Conservancy a 15,000 acres in the Amboseli Ecosystem and home to elephant, giraffe, gerenuk, zebras, lion, leopard and over 300 bird species. It was established over 25 years ago as an agreement between Gamewatchers Safaris and the Eselenkei Group Ranch Maasai community and provides vital ecological support to Amboseli National Park.
About Ol Kinyei Conservancy a 17,500 acre wildlife haven, known for its big cats and vital for the Loita Migration. The conservancy is part of the Mara ecosystem and within a short drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve, renowned spot for witnessing the annual Great Migration.
Share
Sharing knowledge with like-minded students in other cultures
Experience
Participate in experiences otherwise not possible
Action
Taking simple, direct action for immediate and future positive impact
In Kenya
Access to Education
Assistance in paying school fees will help ensure children can receive a proper education and to facilitate a passion for wildlife and conservation. For many families, the basics including school fees is a struggle, and often the decision has to be made of which of their children, if any, they can afford to send to school - and for how long. Our sponsorship program aims to ease this burden and allow education opportunity for more kids in these remote wilderness areas of Kenya. We sponsored 25 students in 2021. Each with school fees paid, a new school uniform and shoes and provided a solar light each to assist with their studies. In 2022, we continued to fund these students education costs, plus an additional 21 students. 54% of the students sponsored are girls. Eligibility criteria ensures assistance goes to those who need it most, with a focus on also ensuring girls are given equal opportunity. Click image to view the recent school fee celebration at Iloirero Primary School.
Mazingira Club and the Education for Conservation Program
Students from each of the Kenya twinning school are participating in the school environment club - Mazingira Club. The Mazingira Club program is assisting to develop young environmental leaders in the community. Students are actively involved in local expert-led sessions about wildlife and conservation, as well as partaking in fun, engaging environmental initiatives, including small on-ground school projects, excursions and networking with other local schools as part of our tailored Education for Conservation Program.
Maarifa House and Mazingira Library
To cultivate knowledge and passion for the environment, we are constructing libraries and learning spaces filled with furniture, tech and books. These fun and engaging spaces are places for students to come gather, learn read, explore, dream and be inspired.
Click image to find out more...
Amboseli and Mara Wildlife Experiences
Children from Iloirero Primary School (Kajiado) live within just a 2 hour drive from Amboseli National Park, and its about the same distance for students at Kishermoruak Primary school (Narok) to Masai Mara National Reserve and live right on the boundaries of the community conservancies. But even though they live so close to these world famous parks and conservation areas they have never, and may never, have the means to visit these wildlife havens. An excursion for the Mazingira Club students is an experience that will have life long consequences. These trips celebrate their involvement as active Mazingira Club members and visiting these special biodiverse places is a chance to see why conservation is just so important.
In Australia
Activities we offer to Australian schools focus on two main themes:
- Conservation Action in the Urban Environment (including our Koala Champion program)
- Good Global Citizens and Cultural Awareness (including global pen pals and ‘paying forward’ activities)
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Schools Twinning Program
The twinning project connects a small number of schools in Kenya and Australia.
- Share letters and video messages with children from Kenya.
- Philanthropic projects and actions to provide support for twinning schools in Kenya
- Study tour opportunities for senior high school and universities to visit the schools in Kenya and see first-hand community-based conservation in action.
School Recycling
Recycling of bottles, poppers and cans will not only improve the local environment and teach the students valuable lessons in sustainability, resources management and environmental protection, but will also raise money for school children in Kenya. The recycling school will learn-through-doing the importance of recycling and reducing waste, and also provides a means to help support their global class mates. The Australian school will be rewarded for their efforts with unique environmental ‘experiences’ as they reach recycling goals. We assist with setting up school or class recycling stations (bins, bags or cages, and collection can be arranged), provision of recycling education material and whole school or class-only recycling challenges that align with different learning objectives including environmental, business, project and event management skills.
Conservation focussed learning incursions
Special guest presentations on relevant aspects of environmental education including recycling, waste management and pollution reduction, threatened species and creating habitat for wildlife with subject materials linked to the Australian curriculum.
Click image to view our Koala Champion Program
On-ground conservation activities
This is for schools wanting to get out of the classroom and put their knowledge into practice and learn new skills. We can assist in coordinating tree planting and habitat rehabilitation activities on school grounds or on public land, and assist with acquiring (or students to build) nest boxes and to develop a student nest-box monitoring program on school grounds.
Click to visit our Knowledge Hub for inspiration on ways to improve our local environment
Contact us for a copy of our school info pack or to tailor a program just for you, or access our Knowledge Hub or Koala Champion info here to start your sustainability journey
The Maarifa Foundation 2020
