Rhino Scholarships: Education is Conservation

Since our last update, the Community Development Programme has continued to work hard with partnering schools, to uplift the lives of children through educational scholarships and mentoring workshops. In December 2023 Judy Nyambura, with support from Silvia Apua, Sydney Leajore, and PA-MOJA co-chair Alison Stuart led a week-long mentorship programme for both boys and girls. This informative course equips these young individuals with essential life skills, fostering social and environmental responsibility and productivity.

Similarly, also in December, our Community Development Programme began the annual scholarship selection exercise for the 2024 cohort. Application forms have been distributed to the 21 communities that surround us, with the ambitious goal of awarding 130 students with a full four-year scholarship. This represents a significant milestone in the Rhino Scholarship programme, made possible thanks to your continued support which enables us to reach new heights and make a profound impact on the lives of all these deserving students.

In 2023 we further helped to bridge the educational gap in these communities through the construction of five classrooms and a library, providing structured learning spaces for all the students who can enjoy them. These new buildings offer students in remote areas the tools to explore, learn, and connect with outside sources. We further were able to donate 10 laptops to Nanyuki Library last year with the goals of increasing access to educational resources and teaching students’ digital literacy.

As we close the door on 2023, we find ourselves filled with gratitude as we reflect on the achievements made possible last year with your generous support. Your unwavering commitment to Ol Pejeta has empowered us to make a lasting difference in the lives of young children from vulnerable communities surrounding the conservancy. A warm Asante Sana from all of us at Ol Pejeta Conservancy for being an essential part of our student’s journey, and this new year may we continue to work together creating lasting impact and empowering communities for a brighter future.