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Education is the key to economic development yet in many parts of Africa access to schooling is limited to fairly basic, primary education. Here in Kenya, secondary education is still a privilege, not a right. In the remote region of Kasigau, in Southeastern Kenya, Grassroots Logistics administers a student sponsorship scheme to address this imbalance at a local level. In this wilderness area known as Tsavo, the Moi High School is the only post-primary school within a 35 km radius of the remote rural communities living around the base of Mt Kasigau. It costs an average of USD 450 (Kshs 31,500) per year to go through this school. With little paid employment and frequent drought in the area, over 80% of the parents cannot simply afford continued education for their kids once primary schooling has ended. Until recently primary school students in the area had little incentive to study and progress their education as their chances of joining a secondary school were minimal. |
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ON THE GROUND: Aerial Survey of Tsavo Elephant Research Project
Tsavo
is home to the largest population of elephants in Kenya. Although most of
them are found inside the parks, a significant percentage occurs on the
private ranches and community lands. Due to the immense size, aerial survey
is the most practical way to estimate population of large mammals.
We have been working closely with the Elephants of Tsavo Research team led by Dr. Barbara McKnight to establish elephant movement patterns within the Tsavo-Kasigau migratory corridor. In 2002, Origins Safaris donated USD 1,000 to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to conduct total aerial counts of Tsavo elephants including Mkomazi in Tanzania. Results of this survey showed that Tsavo elephants had increased by 15% since the last count of 1999.
In order to address the perpetual human-elephant conflicts within the corridor, we have been working with local schools and community conservation groups to foster positive attitudes. We have also been experimenting on some traditional approaches to resolve the conflicts reinforcing indigenous knowledge. Through the use of a High Frequency (HF) radio and community rangers, we help to report incidences of elephant damage to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for immediate action.
Elephants continue to be key components of the Tsavo ecosystem. The aerial survey project thus provided baseline data for management purposes. The fact that 4% of Tsavo elephants utilize the Tsavo-Kasigau migratory corridor further justifies its continued protection.
