The Amboseli ecosystem is one of the richest wildlife areas in Africa as well as home to the Masaai. Known for its spectacular wildlife migrations with a backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, not surprising it is a favourite tourist destination. However, it is now under threat due to increased population moving into the lowlands and causing conflict with wildlife.
James Njuguna Wangunyu wants to safeguard the Tsavo-Amboseli wildlife ecosystems by creating and implementing sustainable community programs that protect and regenerate ecosystems so humans and wildlife can coexist in harmony and prosper. By 2030 they plan to have 20,000 beehives, plant 10,000,000 indigenous trees, provide income for over 2,000 women and their communities, offer scholarships to over 5,000 kids and protect or restore 5,000 square km of wildlife habitat land.
”“I was born in 1994 in Kajiado county and with my own eyes have seen the degradation of the place I love . On my 25th birthday, I have decided to dedicate my life to protecting the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem. But I can’t do it without your support.”
James Njuguna WangunyuFounder & Executive Director of Happy Community Organisation
Achievements to date
Since November of 2019, they have deployed over 500 beehives to indigenous communities in the Amboseli -Tsavo Ecosystem. 500 beehives generate 10,000 kg of honey in 1 year.
They are also selling the honey, wax and other bee products, sharing the profits with their communities creating an income for over 100 women and their households (for the first time in their lives) and thus positively impacting over 500 marginalised people in their communities.
They are also focusing on their wild spaces conservation model and within the first full operational year, they protected approx. 100 square km of community land and its natural vegetation – which otherwise may have been burned down for charcoal or cut down by commercial agricultural investors.
But that’s not all – they keep adding more beehives on a regular basis, and aim to reach 20,000 hives by 2030, regenerate more than 10, 000,000 indigenous trees and offer scholarships to over 5,000 kids.
