Malewa Trust : Malewa & Turasha Rivers Kenya : Kigio Wildlife Conservancy

‘To ensure the long-term conservation of the Malewa and Turasha rivers, and the adjoining riparian land, from their headwaters in the Aberdare range to the outlet in Lake Naivasha’.

The trust aims are to concentrate on environmental education, sustainable land management, and conservation of biodiversity within the water-catchment areas of the Malewa and Turasha River valleys.

To date the trust has been the conduit for donor funds to reach rural schools in the neighbourhood. It has also sourced funds for the Kigio Wildlife Conservancy in order to protect endangered species, namely the Rothschild Giraffe and White Rhino. It is currently raising funds for the development of the Bush school and a tree nursery.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION - 'BUSH SCHOOL'
The Malewa Trust currently supports 4 local primary schools all of which are in much need of financial assistance to improve the learning facilities. The Trust will also source funds to enable children from these schools to visit Kigio Wildlife Conservancy, the Bush school and Kenya’s national parks and reserves. Funds through the partnership programmes will go towards the construction of classrooms, building of water storage tanks, development of tree nurseries, sports equipment, wind/solar powered electricity, or the purchase of text and exercise books. With added ‘Corporate Social Investment (CSI) ’ being high on the agenda for multi national corporations there is a place for ‘Partnerships’ with Malewa Trust.

'PARTNERSHIPS' WITH RURAL SCHOOLS
Three neighbouring primary schools (Mwega, Murindati & Kimbo) are already supported through the partnership programmes. Each year the visitors raise money prior to their arrival in Kenya which is usefully spent during their visit.

Mwega Primary School has had substantial support, particularly from Canford School in England. It now has 8 new classrooms, school hall , and an administration building incorporating a staff room, bookstore and two offices for the senior staff. The exterior of all the buildings are much improved and the grounds of the school have been fenced. Indigenous trees have been planted as well as 400 Eucalyptus trees in a demonstration plot to the community in order to encourage neighbours to plant trees for future harvesting for firewood, posts and timber, a much needed requirement in the area.Devonport school UK have also helped considerably.

Murindati Primary School partnering with Oundle School in England. The school now has clean piped water, a wind turbine and 8 classrooms thanks to the Oundle partnership.

Kimbo Primary School is the smallest, and most recent school to benefit from the partnership programme. With 135 pupils all the facilities urgently need improving. The following UK based schools have already assisted considerably. St Ivo school, Oundle school, Luckley Oakfield school and Horningsham. Through their involvement we are able to start building their first stone classrooms, staff housing and equipment.

Further up the valley we have assisted Karuri Primary School with the construction of a foot bridge to enable children to find a shorter and safer route to school. The construction of this foot bride was greatly facilitated by Bridging the Gap.

Bee keeping: Introducing this small scale industry to the community is ongoing.This includes training of personnel installing hives, checking and harvesting of the honey plus labeling and marketing.
Leleshwa harvesting: This is an indigenous leaf that is currently being harvested for the oils as an insect repellant, mostly against mosquitoes. Our small group of women from the neighbourhood need support and encouragement to harvest, dry and bag the leaf to a good quality.
Tree nursery: We have a tree nursery which has been sufficient for replanting soil eroded areas within the conservancy. Now there is a necessity to expand the effort within the community and along the watercourses to protect the river banks. The setting up of new tree nurseries are essential. We also have a new project whereby cuttings are taken from cloned Eucalyptus trees for commercial production.
Carpet Weaving by William Murai: William Murai lives with his wife and family in the Rift Valley in Kenya. His homestead is situated near Kigio Wildlife Conservancy. William was taught the art of weaving over 30 years ago and has continued this craft mainly in producing pure wool rugs. The wool is sourced locally in Kenya from Marino sheep; most of the dyes are produced using natural roots and plants. William buys all the wool in its raw state and he and his family card it, spin it, wash it and dye it ready for use at the looms. William keeps his own looms in his homestead and has passed on the art of weaving through his family.This humble cottage industry has now advanced to weaving Kikoys as well as beautiful tablemats. Through the eco-tourism venture William has opened his home to visitors from overseas to see this unique cottage industry in action. He is now looking to expand his family business and is hoping to export his rugs overseas.

RESEARCH
We also offer opportunities to carry out conservation, community and science–based projects. The programmes are very popular amongst people taking a year off before or after university.

Wildlife and Conservation: There may be a need to look after orphaned wildlife and birds before returning them to the wild. We have translocated a herd of Rothschild Giraffe from Lake Nakuru National Park and White Rhino from Lewa conservancy. These animals need to be individually recognised and checked on each day. Other species of wildlife will be introduced and further studies and care will be necessary. Teaching the value of wildlife conservation and developing micro-enterprises with primary school children are ongoing. We therefore encourage visits to Kigio and nearby National parks, so funding is always needed to pay for transport for these excursions.

Funds: We recommend volunteers raise approximately £500 prior to their arrival which will go directly to any of the projects they will be involved in.

Communication: Cyber cafes are available in Gilgil or Naivasha, alternatively email access is available once a week or in emergencies from our conservancy office.

Security: We can offer excellent 24 hour security whilst inside the Conservancy.

Health: The conservancy is in a Malaria free zone at 2000 meters above sea level, (no need for prophylaxis) but it is essential that you are covered by personal international medical insurance. Good hospitals are in Nairobi, approximately one and a half hours by road or 20 minutes by air rescue. The Conservancy has an air strip.

Dates: The rural school terms are approximately the following: Jan 5th to 27th March and 6th May to 9th August. This would leave a good slice of holiday to travel around Kenya during April.