Communities
COMMUNITIES AROUND US
Through business enterprises and with the help of willing donors (both large and small) Ol Pejeta Conservancy works to develop the funding necessary to pay for our wildlife conservation work, and to provide financial assistance to projects that assist the people living within our neighbouring communities.
By the end of 2014, Ol Pejeta Conservancy had raised and dispersed over US$ 6.5 million in support of its community development programme. We work with local government and a variety of elected community representatives across the district to identify projects that qualify for assistance from the Conservancy.
All projects are assessed on a case-by-case basis and must contain some element of community contribution. We aim to concentrate on the following core areas: health, education, water, roads, agriculture, and livestock extension services and the development of community-based conservation tourism ventures. Based on regular socio-economic surveys, we aim to provide the support necessary to address real needs and to make a real difference to the lives of the people who live nearby.
SOUTH WEST
Communities to the south west of the Conservancy are farmers. Primary crops here include maize, potatoes, snow peas, onions and cabbages – although the majority of these are simply subsistence farms.
The Ngobit River allows farmers constant water access, but as populations increase and the climate becomes more unpredictable, large-scale extraction of river water has become unsustainable. Ol Pejeta is working with these communities to introduce drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting systems, to reduce pressure on the river, and help farmers use water wisely.
The presence of farms in the area inevitably attracts wildlife from Ol Pejeta – in particular elephants, who can be notorious for crop-raiding. Building up a strong relationship between Ol Pejeta’s wildlife rangers and local farmers has been key to reducing human wildlife conflict.
Support to local educational institutions from Ol Pejeta has included a green house, expansive solar power system; ICT equipment and bursary awards for poorer students.
SOUTH EAST
Close proximity to Nanyuki town means that communities living to the south east of Ol Pejeta have easier access to government services and better infrastructure than other Ol Pejeta supported communities. The location also nurtures different small enterprises, which, together with agriculture and pastoralism leads to a fairly diverse economy in the area.
Education institutions here however, are still in need of basic necessities. Ol Pejeta supports 16 schools in the south east, with both infrastructure and equipment. Together with partners, Ol Pejeta has built classrooms and green houses, and enabled five schools to set up an ICT suite and a library.
Although community members are in close proximity to one of three health centres, medical supplies in these clinics are often lacking. Ol Pejeta supports two health centres with medical supplies, and has donated media equipment and supported infrastructure development. Thanks to support from Ol Pejeta and partners, a vibrant team of Community Health Workers (CHWs) ensures increased community reach by providing homecare visits.
The Ewaso Nyiro River allows farmers constant water access, but as populations increase and the climate becomes more unpredictable, large-scale extraction of river water has become unsustainable. Ol Pejeta is working with farmers and schools to introduce drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting systems, to reduce pressure on the river.
Energy saving stoves have also been introduced to this area by one of Ol Pejeta’s partners. This has reduced the demand for fuel wood significantly, and the stoves have grown in popularity. There have now been over 300 stoves constructed in this area to date. They are not only saving energy for households, but also creating employment as builders find work specialising in the installation of the stoves.
NORTH
Livelihoods in the area to the north of Ol Pejeta are predominantly based around pastoralism. People here not only struggle with frequent dry spells leading to lack of pasture, but also with lack of infrastructure and government services. Hospitals and schools are few and far between.
To tackle the crippling lack of healthcare access, Ol Pejeta supports a mobile clinic, which travels to the area bi-weekly. For people that would otherwise have to walk half a day to see a doctor, this has proved to be a hugely successful project.
Ol Pejeta has also supported the provision of solar lamps to households without electricity, and the maintenance and rehabilitation of boreholes for clean drinking water.
There is a huge gender disparity in the region, and this is often most apparent in schools. Girls face cultural challenges that, more often than not, keep them from completing secondary education. These challenges include early marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and household chores. Ol Pejeta has supported 14 bursaries for young girls in the north of the Conservancy to continue their education, as well as the building of a girls dormitory at Ereri Primary School. Ol Pejeta supported infrastructure at other schools includes classrooms, ablution blocks, and even conservation agriculture farming areas so schools can be more self-sufficient.
Ol Pejeta is also working with pastoralists here to raise awareness about more sustainable grazing techniques, to build resilience to dry seasons when pasture is minimal.
NEWSLETTERS
Read all about the latest initiatives that Ol Pejeta is undertaking in collaboration with our communities.