A tour of ASSETS primary schools...

On last Thursday morning, with Festus, Henry, Patrick and Ayoti, we set off on a trip to visit as many of our ASSETS primary schools as possible. Our (optimistic) aim was to see 7 or 8 of the 10 schools ASSETS work with, but in the end we managed to visit 5, which already filled a long but very interesting day! We made our way around the Arabuko Sokoke Forest, starting with Mijomboni Primary, just past Gede on the Eastern boarder of the Forest. We were greeted by the Wildlife Patron there, who showed us around the different projects led by the Wildlife Club, the Muvera Wa ASSETS cluster (both have tree nurseries), as well as a new initiative led by teachers, who planted kale and peanuts to provide for their lunch. (See picture below). They even had a banana tree, which is pretty impressive in this rather arid land! Overall, the compound was very green, and the school led a lot of encouraging initiatives.

We then moved on to Girimacha, on the Western side of the Forest boarder. This school was located in a very dry area, so struggled a bit more with tree planting and sustaining tree nurseries. But they were still at it, as the picture below shows! They will be planting these trees just before the next rain season, so around September. The WCK patron also explained that they were reaching the end of their food reserves provided by the government, reserves which never last the whole term (last term, they only received food for 42 days out of 72). This food is very important, as providing a lunch in school has made a big difference in enrolment rates. A lot of the primary schools around the forest receive food with this programme led by the Ministry of Education.

Our third school was a bit further south, Malanga Primary School. This school was quite similar to the previous one, with efforts being made to plant trees despite the dryness of the area. The conditions make it more difficult to have a green compound, and plant many trees. As we can see on the picture, pupils also receive lunch there, as long as the government provides enough food.

Boga Matchuko, the fourth school we visited, stood out from the previous ones, as we were impressed by the academic level of the pupils (a few of them moving on to some of the most prestigious secondary schools in Kenya) as well as the dynamism of the Wildlife Club and Muvera cluster. A fishpond has recently been installed, which is a unique initivative in the district, and could be an alternative source of income. They also have a weather station, which, with a bit of restoration, could be a great activity for the Wildlife Club. Their tree nursery was impressively well-kept and green. This was a real encouragement for us to see the change that took place over the past few years in cooperation with ASSETS!

Finally, our last school was Nyari Primary School, south of the Forest. This school, situated on a depression, has really made the most of its conditions, and is also very dynamic, with 2 Wildlife Patrons working together to make school compound more green by planting grass, as it has already been done, and care for the tree nursery. They also hosted pupils from Aga Khan Primary school in Mombasa, and planted trees together just next to the school grounds. Despite a few problems (a leaking water tank), this school was also a real encouragement, we were delighted to see how motivated and committed the WCK patrons were. Like the weather station in Boga, the water tank could be easily repaired with some simple manual help, which ASSETS is keen to provide.

All in all this was a rich and encouraging day for everyone, for Wildlife Patrons as well as for the ASSETS team. We are thankful for everything that ASSETS has implemented so far and the difference its made, and are full of ideas for the future!

Films for a difference!

 

Last week in Mijamboni Primary School near Gede, the usual Tuesday evening Wildlife Club was offered a rather exceptional activity! The classroom was made into a cinema, staring David Attenborough and his BBC Earth Series.

This was very and increasingly well-attended, with about three times as many students at the end of the film than at the start! (and many more watching by the window). As the Wildlife Patron wasn’t here, we could not have a discussion afterwards as we usually do, but it was nevertheless an enjoyable afternoon for everyone, filled with ‘ohhs’ and ‘aahhs’ of amazement at the sights of nature and wildlife. Favourites were chasing scenes - lions chasing an elephant for instance-, and the monkeys having a bath.

We believe these films can make a big difference in giving a positive image of environment. Although they may not grasp all the commentary, children see how beautiful, diverse (and apparently funny) nature is. We know that for someone from a similar rural primary school, seeing such a film spurred an interest in the environment and eventually led to a full time career in this field! So let’s hope many more will be inspired to protect the environment through this!

Mida Creek Boardwalk Launch

Last Monday (the 23rd of July) we celebrated the official launch of our boardwalk in Mida Creek! It was an exciting and well-attended event, with A Rocha staff and volunteers, local villagers and children, visitors from Kenya Wildlife Service, and Kenya Forest Service, as well as sponsors (Safaricom Foundation). We were able to officially launch the bridge thanks to a generous donation from the Safaricom Foundation. Everyone celebrated together with dance, theatre, tree planting and a walk across the bridge. This 260m long bridge crosses different types of mangroves which we learn to recognize as we walk along. Lucky visitors will also be able to spot various wildlife species along the way. The end of the bridge is marked by a birdhide by the beach. All the revenue collected from the boardwalk/birdhide proceeds to the ASSETS bursary scheme.

Braced for Summer camps

August is here with us again! 136 ASSETS beneficiaries are just about to sit for their end of term examinations in over 40 different secondary schools. With over 1.2 million shillings paid out as bursaries for the students, the ASSETS account is left wanting, needing Ksh. 148,000 to bring another group of 40 students to the August camp.

For the last five years, this exercise has aided over 200 students to spend three days at Mwamba Field Study Centre and get hands on experience in the conservation work going on. During these events, students have a chance to visit the famous Watamu Coral Gardens, the Gede Ruins and the Mida Creek. This experience always leaves a lasting memory in the students and they always talk about it. To some, this is often their first time to see the ocean despite living less than 100 km away.

Discussion on HIV AIDS and drugs forms a key part of the camp. This challenges the students on important choices they are required to make in life. The three days learning programme is spiced up with many games and quizzes for ease of learning.

We are grateful for a donation of £ 440 that we have so far received for this activity. This is enough to cover the costs for 15 students attending the camp. We are currently looking for sponsorship for the other 25 students at a cost of US$ 50 per student.

ASSETS ALWAYS AT IT!!.....................

It has been a while since we last updated a blog but that does not mean that we had nothing to say….absolutely not! On the contrary, we at ASSETS have been busy to our eyes, running up and down ensuring that ASSETS lives up to its reputation as a sustainable development organization. The past few weeks have seen a buzz of activities that varied from tree planting, dispatching of cheques to schools and celebration of Kenya’s freedom from colonialists some forty six years ago.

For the tree planting ceremony, primary school pupils (aged between 5-14 years old) from Chipande primary school which is one of the ASSETS beneficiary schools were the baton holders. It was on Monday the 28^th of May at around 3.00pm.

To pupils in other primary schools, it was that time of the day when they waited anxiously for the bell to ring marking the end of classes for the day: and as the bell rang, most of them could barely remain seated at their desks while some naughty boys already stood, shifting from one leg to the other waiting impatiently for the teacher to walk out of the class before they could dash off to the field, which they often did barely missing to knock down their teachers in their excitement. In their hands they clutched tightly their soccer ball or rather their imitation of a soccer ball which often is homemade out of old rags, dirty pieces of polythene  bags and sisal ropes.

However, for Chipande primary school, the excitement was for a totally different reason: that an even indifferent ordinary onlooker couldn’t help but marvel at the extra ordinary reason. Monday was the day that the Wildlife club patron had organised the tree planting ceremony and has invited the ASSETS, who had inspired the whole idea, to participate.

Most of these children have been first hand witnesses of ASSETS at work and have seen their predecessors manage to get a high school education a prospect that had seemed to be more of a dream and a case of wishful thinking; that thanks to ASSETS, they confess, they have the audacity to dream.

The pupils were therefore excited by the idea of being able to plant a tree and nurture it to maturity, for they were expected to be the caretakers of whatever trees they planted. To most of them it was almost a calling while to some, who because of their age couldn’t understand fully though, it was out of conviction in their hearts that some way somehow this tree would gain them a high school education just like the brother, sister or neighbour before them.

So as we see these children embracing our efforts to conserve the environment, we can’t help but feel humbled and thankful that ASSETS, is planting seeds, not only on the ground but also in hearts and minds of these precious children.

Help Us Stay Connected!

The ASSETS department is in desperate need of a new laptop. The current computer being used has been undergoing repairs daily making work difficult and frustrating. Although due to the computer's break down, the office has been much more peaceful now that it does not give off a sound like an airplane taking off, we need the laptop for work that includes access databases, blogging, and email to communicate with donors. We would really appreciate donations to support the purchase of a new laptop in order to allow the ASSETS department to work to its full potential.

ASSETS Graduates

During the last month, three new ASSETS graduates have joined A Rocha in various volunteer tasks. May God bless all three volunteers and may God give them strength as they continue to pursue their passions.

Brian, an ASSETS graduate from Kwale High School, joined A Rocha Kenya as a volunteer a month ago. He feels the ASSETS program is a very good project. Brain thanks the ASSETS program for contributing to his education by assisting him with school fees. During his time with A Rocha, Brain has been volunteering at the Gede ruins tree platform, which is one of the eco-tourism sites raising money for bursaries.  If God wishes and Brain finds the means he would like to study law at university, which has been his career choice since he was a primary student.

Joan joined A Rocha Kenya three weeks ago. She has been busy volunteering in the kitchen helping to make delicious meals. Joan is an ASSETS graduated from Bahari Girls Secondary School. She finds the ASSETS program to be beneficial because it helped her through school and she now knows how to conserve the environment. She enjoyed learning the names of trees and birds as well as the importance of biodiversity. In the future Joan hopes to teach science or Swahili because she loves working with children.

Kirao, an ASSETS graduate from Malindi High School, began volunteering with A Rocha Kenya last Monday. During his stay he wants to share the knowledge he has gained, and to learn from others. Kirao feels the ASSETS program is very good and it has helped many people including him.  If it were not for the program, he would not be a student a Pwani University in Kilifi. Kirao joined Pwani University in the year 2010 where he is currently studying environmental science. The ASSETS program helped to develop his passion to protect the environment. While in high school he began to share the information he learned with community conservation groups near Mida Creek. In the future Kirao wants to continue his work at Mida Creek by becoming a conservationist focusing on the protection of the mangrove forest.

It's great to see these young men and ladies so passionate about nature conservation.

ASSETS Beneficiaries Days

Students play "Hungry Hippos"

On Friday the ASSETS program started camps for families receiving bursary funds.  In the morning, parents and students from Gede primary school and Mijomboni primary school gathered in Mijomboni. This is where Festus, a community conservation officer, started off the day teaching the families about the history of A Rocha Kenya, shared the location of the eco-tourism sites that provide bursary funds and highlighted the importance of conservation in the surrounding area.  After enjoying juice and cookies the parents left leaving the students for the rest of the day. A key part of the ASSETS program is to teach students about conservation. The afternoon was spent explaining the ecological importance of the Arabuko-Sokoke forest and Mida Creek. Students participated in games called, “Hungry Hippos,” and “The Wader Migration Game.” During “Hungry Hippos” students had to share limited resources with their friends and by doing so they were able to cross a river full of hippos. “The Wader Migration Game” involved the students learning about the challenges birds face while trying to migrate around the world. The day ended with the introduction of a brand new curriculum, called A Rocha Conservation Education Course for Secondary Schools (ACCESS), where students participate in a four year long environmental studies course outside the classroom. The students were very excited about the introduction of the new course and agreed to participate. The day was full of learning. Next week Festus and volunteers will continue to run camps for eight more schools supported by the ASSETS program.

Students and parents learn about the ASSETS program

Students play " The Wader Migration" game

Ever seen so much bush meat?

The last time I saw so much meat was when I was a small boy. Then there used to be regular cultural ceremonies which called for a lot of food especially meat. This time it was all illegally killed wild animals on transit to the market at a place called Sosoni in Magarini district. we counted two water bucks and over 20 sunis very expertly tied onto two bicycles. Though I had heard that the bush meat trade was still happening, I did not have the vaguest idea that it was at this scale and therefore very destructive.

I was very sorry for two old men who looked like they had collided on each other and fell on the road with the seemingly heavy luggage on their bikes. I was later to learn that they were running away from us because they thought were wildlife rangers.

"They are trying to feed their families," exclaimed a third old man who was almost knocked down by the other two running away.

Tough but successful assessment of potential beneficiary students around Arabuko-Sokoke

The assessment exercise for the new ASSETS beneficiary students has taken the assets team four good days to complete. It was a tough time for the team riding through the sand dunes into several homes bordering Mida-creek at the sea shore and far and beyond the Arabuko-sokoke Forest. Here are pictures showing Festus and Bimbo in the villages interviewing the parents of the beneficiaries.  

Some parents have found it hard and expensive sending their children through the secondary education due to lack of funds.  However, the ASSETS team has taken an extra mile of guiding, counseling and giving hope to them that God will give way and the students will pursue secondary education. The ASSETS program is there for them and its purpose is to glorify God. This is one way of helping the less fortune and letting them know that God loves them and they still have the potential to attain a better life.

Below is a photo showing Festus guiding and counseling a parent and his son

Apart from the above activities, the team has managed to see one of the parents who has been a beneficiary in the ASSETS program for several years and have grasped the knowledge of conservation. It was really interesting to see his wood lot and nursery seedlings doing well. This year, he has posted another child into secondary school and is being interviewed so that his child can get support from ASSETS program.

Assets team is hopping all will be well even to the families that has lost hope.