the email newsletter of the The Kesho Trust

Ereto Maasai Youth [EMAYO] Workshop in Dar es Salaam

In anticipation of some significant funding from the United Nations Development Program [UNDP], I traveled to Tanzania in June to meet with EMAYO members and develop a specific work plan for the rain water harvesting project in which we are partners. EMAYO members traveled from various places in the country to come to the meeting and it was a valuable opportunity to organize our efforts on this project. The EMAYO members present at the meeting were all members of the executive or specifically dedicated to roles within the water project. Those present were: Emmanuel Ole Kileli, Majuka Ololkeri; Jeremia Simon; Monica Kurumbe and Soipey Ole Kimaki.

Two members of the Kesho Trust in Tanzania also participated: Hamidah Mzoa, Senior Administrative Officer; and Davis Lumala, Community Liaison Officer. They will be assisting EMAYO staff during the implementation of the project.

Later in August, the contract was signed with UNDP and the first installment of funds has now been provided.  Our planned study tour to a similar project wiith a Maasai community in Kenya which has been undertaken with the support of Rotary International will take place in mid October.  We are looking forward to a long term connection to Rotary's work in this field as they have developed a sound model and are looking to expand their work in East Africa.

Bruce K. Downie
Founding Director
The Kesho Trust
 

Kesho Trust Volunteer Heads to Zambia to Work with the West Lunga Trust

Long time resident of Haines Junction, Yukon, Brent Liddle is heading to Zambia as a volunteer with the Kesho Trust. Drawing on his extensive career of parks interpretation and ecotourism, Brent will assist our partner organization, the West Lunga Trust, to identify an approach to ecotourism for the area that will be led by local communities and contribute to the local economy. The West Lunga Trust is attempting to restore and properly manage a neglected national park in the area - the West Lunga National Park. Engaging the local communities in this effort is central to the success of the endeavour and benefits to the local economy from ecotourism related to the park will stimulate positive conservation action. Brent leaves for Zambia in early October to undertake the preliminary analysis of the needs and opportunities.

About Brent:  Brent exudes his life long passion to link people with nature. And his ability to look at the world with an active and engaging imagination is captivating. After a long career in interpretation with Parks Canada, Brent took his passion both to other parts of the world and new endeavours in his own back yard. He now consults internationally and runs his own ecotourism business adjacent to Kluane National Park.

Please contribute to support Brent's efforts and the work of the West Lunga Trust.

West Lunga Trust Newsletter

Charles Rea, Director of the West Lunga Trust, sent us another newsletter capturing the many activities of the organization over the past few months. The group has been very active and excellent progress is being made. Look through the newsletter to get a good idea of their progress [West Lunga Trust newsletter]

Conservation NGOs in Africa

The Kesho Trust was contacted last year with a request for information related to our program so that our organization could be included in a report on conservation NGOs work in sub-Saharan Africa . The report is now available and makes for interesting reading in terms of the breadth and level of effort of ENGOs in Africa. Naturally the Kesho Trust is only at the very beginning of its work there but we are already seeing the level of our contribution and breadth of our program expanding from the very preliminary level that is captured in the report.   Conservation NGOs in Africa

Get Outside! It’s In Our Nature - March 5 to 8, 2009

Our second major international event in our Nature Child Reunion initiative is shaping up to be one that should not be missed. Richard Louv will be back along with other distinguished keynote and plenary speakers including Robert Bateman, David Orr, and Louise Chawla. For a general description of the event and more details on the program, visit our website:  International Conference 2009

The Kesho Trust is pleased with the partnership of University of Victoria, The Children and Nature Network, and Royal Roads University in sponsoring this event. It will take place primarily at the Royal Roads campus in Victoria and you can register through the Conitinuing Studies Department of the Univieristy.  Registration

If you have any difficulties or want to contact us directly please do so at:  info@thekeshotrust.org

ICURA Workshop in Tofino

The Kesho Trust is a partner in a consortium seeking a major ICURA* research grant for a three country research program focused on the benefits of protected areas for local communities. Faculty members, Dr. Grant Murray and Dr. Rick Rollins of Vancouver Island University [VIU] are leading the initiative and our Advisory Committee member, Dr. Leslie King [now Vice-President Academic at UVI] is also participating. The three countries involved are Canada, Ghana and Tanzania. Earlier this year the original concept paper outlining the proposed program was short listed by the funding agency and currently a full proposal is being prepared for submission in October. To work towards a comprehensive proposal the consortium members met at three different workshops: Ghana in April; Tanzania in May; and at Pacific Rim National Park in Canada in July. Representing the Kesho Trust at these workshops were Davis Lumala attending the Tanzania workshop and Bruce Downie attending the workshop recently in Canada.

Competition for the grant will be keen so every effort is being made to pull together a comprehensive proposal. The Kesho Trust would have a significant role in Tanzania supporting the research program, particularly as it links with local communities. We are currently developing an additional partnership in Tanzania with a like minded organization based in Saadani National Park which is one of the two prime sites for the research program along with Serengeti National Park where we have ongoing interests.

Watch this space for more details on this important initiative in the months to come.

* ICURA - International Community-University Research Alliance

Kesho Trust Director, Bob Peart, Honoured for Lifetime of Conservation Contributions

One of the Kesho Trust’s founding directors and leader of our Nature Child Reunion Initiative, Bob Peart, has been awarded the J. B. Harkin Conservation Award for his lifetime of extraordinary commitment to parks, nature conservation and environmental education in Canada.  Read about Bob’s award.

The Harkin Medal is an award given by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society [CPAWS]. From the first recipient, the Honourable Jean Chretien, in 1972 there is an impressive list of contributors to conservation that have been recognized through this award and it is an honour and a fitting recognition of Bob’s tireless commitment to conservation that he joins such a group.  Read more about the Harkin Medal .

A special fund raising dinner is being planned in Victoria on October 23, 2008 that will bring together recipients of the Harkin Medal from British Columbia. Please join in the event and support the work of conservation in Canada while meeting past award recipients. Get all the details.

Photo:  Harvey Locke (left) presenting the Harkin Medal to Bob Peart (right) on behalf of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.
 

Thank You

We very much appreciate the support of many people who have contributed to the work of the KeshoTrust.  It is your contributions that have made a difference in so many ways: boots for the game scouts in Zambia; community meetings with the Maasai of Kibirashi in Tanzania; and, participation in the research initiative workshop in Moshi, Tanzania.  We are very greatful and encourage your continued contributions to this important work that is reaching grassroots organziatrions and making a difference in the lives of rural people.  As momentum builds in many of our project areas this support will become increasingly critical.

You can continue to support our work by contributing either by mail or on line.  For details see our website: Contribute

Please be aware that we have gift acknowledgements as well that can be sent on special occasions.  Simply let us know [info@thekeshotrust.org] that the contribution is a gift donation and provide us with the details so that we can acknowlge your contribution with a gift card.

Thanks very much.  Please continue to help us work for a better environment and better lives for people in need.