In the quiet stretches of Amboseli, where the horizon meets the sky, young men like Mateo walk a path many don’t see. Mateo, the younger brother of Nemma—one of Lemong’o’s first female high school graduates and soon-to-be college student spends a chunk of his time during school holidays herding cattle, carrying with him the weight of expectation and tradition.

Nemma’s journey has been one of resilience and transformation. Watching her break barriers and reach for her dreams inspired Mateo in ways he hadn’t expected. But as he looked around, he saw that boys like him didn’t have the same spaces to grow and connect. They carried their burdens alone, with little guidance on how to turn their struggles into strength.

It was Mateo who tirelessly spoke up,  he wanted more for himself and for the boys in his community a place where they could learn, share, and find their paths, just as his sister had. His words struck a chord with us, and we knew we had to answer.

That’s how our three-day boys’ camp was born. We designed it with one purpose: to give these young men the tools they need to thrive, not just as individuals, but as part of a larger community. It wasn’t just about learning new skills; it was about connecting with their mentors and the land they call home.

The camp was a blend of learning and discovery. Our facilitators brought their knowledge, but it was the mentors—former mentees like Christopher Saruni, Mike Parashina and Isiah Parmuya—who truly made an impact. Now students at the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), shared their stories, struggles, and triumphs, showing the boys that they, too, could find their place in the world.

For many of these boys, living so close to a national park, their experiences with wildlife had been limited to fleeting glimpses while herding cattle. They knew the land well, but they had never truly seen it, never really felt a part of it.

That changed during the camp. We took them on an afternoon game drive in Amboseli National Park. For most, it was their first real encounter with the wildlife they had only seen from a distance. As they watched elephants move gracefully through the plains and saw the distant peak of Kilimanjaro, something clicked. They saw the beauty of their world in a new light, understanding that they weren’t just bystanders—they were stewards.

This is more than just a story of a camp; it’s the beginning of a new chapter for these young men. With each step, they’re moving closer to a future where they can thrive, not just for themselves, but for their community and the world around them.

We are always on the lookout for partnerships to facilitate more camps that propel us towards our vision of people-centred conservation and the mission of conservation through public participation.  Reach us via info@conservationkenya.org