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At CHD Conservation Kenya, we recognized this issue and decided to take action. Over the past five years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to mentoring Maasai girls from Lemong’o, Ngong Narok, and Namelock, helping them overcome obstacles and unlock their true potential. Our mission is clear: to empower these young women to become leaders, dreamers, and changemakers.
In partnership with the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, we recently took a significant step forward by organizing a four-day girls’ camp that aimed to inspire the girls to dream bigger while also teaching them about environmental conservation, blending education with the pressing need for gender equality.
One of the most transformative experiences of the camp was the journey to Amboseli National Park. Despite living near national parks, many residents had never had the opportunity to visit these natural wonders, let alone witness organized conservation efforts firsthand. This adventure was special in every sense, as the girls connected deeply with the beauty of their ecosystem. They travelled through the park, finally seeing what tourists who pass their manyattas in land cruisers come to witness: the magnificent home of African elephants. The trip was made even more memorable by a rare encounter with the elusive cheetah, a thrilling sight in Amboseli.
But the surprises didn’t end there. Our exploration took us to Lake Amboseli, a vast dry land that stretched before us. To our amazement, we learned that this lake is seasonal, filling up with water in December and remaining so until June, a powerful reminder of nature’s ever-changing rhythms.
We were deeply honoured to welcome our founder, Dr Winnie, along with our dear friends, Agnes Mwangi and Alice Ng’ang’a, to the closing ceremony. Their generous donation of a wide range of books covering academic subjects, fiction, and inspirational titles humbled us greatly. These books will play a significant role in establishing a resource centre for the community’s girls and boys, providing them with a valuable space to read and grow during their free time and school holidays. We are truly grateful for their support in empowering the youth of our community.
This camp has been about more than learning; it’s been about lighting the fires of leadership, sparking dreams, and creating changemakers. As these girls return home, we know they’ll carry the spirit of this camp with them, ready to build a brighter future for themselves, their communities, and the environment.
At CHD Conservation Kenya, we are committed to continuing this journey. We welcome partnerships with individuals and organizations that share our vision of empowering youth and creating lasting change in our community. Together, we can achieve even more.
