Support education & conservation with ecobursaries

The ASSETS project has continued to support needy children with eco-scholarships in 2023, with a total of KES. 1.6 million ($10 300) disbursed to fund 130 students in over 40secondary schools across the country. The project has continued to grow in 2023, with a couple of record-breaking statistics.

Since its inception in 2001, the ASSETS programme has been incredibly successful in educating over 700 needy children living adjacent to Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and Mida Creek with funds generated from ecotourism activities and various well-wishers. More than 600 students have since graduated from secondary school with support from the programme.

Tree-planting

One component of the programme is to plant trees, both with students and with the parent communities to combat global warming, reduce human pressure on fragile natural habitats, and increase shade cover in hot climate. This year, we planted a record of 67,376 tree seedlings in both public spaces and individual farmers' homes. 29,327indigenous trees were planted in schools, vocational institutions, health centers, and police stations to increase tree cover for carbon sequestration. A further 38,049 seedlings of carefully selected fast-growing, non-invasive species were planted by farmers as alternative sources of income to reduce human pressure on the threatened ecosystems of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and Mida Creek. Over500 community members joined in local tree planting and over 20,000 students from 53 schools helped plant trees in their schools.Two major tree planting events were held during the long and short rainy seasons. The schools have asigned each student to look after a tree to make sure they all survive to maturity.

Our highlight was a conservation award ceremony organized to recognize schools and students’ exemplary efforts in conservation. 12 schools received awards from A Rocha Kenya and other partners in conservation during an event that was climaxed by a soccer match between two local teams.

ASSETS camps

Students participated in holiday camps, where they engaged in discussion forums, environmental education, and awareness activities. The objective was to demonstrate the link between the assistance they are receiving and the wellbeing of adjacent ecosystems. Our environmental education team designed exciting outdoor games to bring this connection home.

We are grateful to all our supporters who have stood with us during this year, in particular during our various GlobalGiving campaigns. I am pleased to inform our supporters that The GlobalGiving Foundation, in partnership with other organisations have awarded A Rocha Kenya a grant of $50,000 in support of this initiative, helping us to further grow the programme in 2024.