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.
The Happy Community Organisation 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. And they are right on track!
”“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 Wangunyu, 26,Founder & Executive Director of Happy Community Organisation
Achievements to date
Since their launch in 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.
Show your support
You can support them by adopting a beehive for yourself, your business, school or community. It also makes a great impactful gift! Join their growing community of donors to help make a real impact for women, communities and nature.
You can also have a bit of fun with your hive and they can customise it for you in your chosen colour or even add your name or company name to it!
In return for adopting a hive you will be sent a picture of it with a thank you note. You will also receive regular status reports and pictures of your hive being handed over to the community, the honey harvest and more.
You can also support them by purchasing their bee care equipment and ‘honey with a purpose’ (currently only available in Kenya). The proceeds of the honey are shared with 50% going to local Masaai women and their communities who are closely involved in the production of the honey, 30% to scholarship funds, and 20% to the Happy Community Organization to cover operating expenses and additional conservation efforts.
Are you interested in partnering up?
Cosmetics companies or hotel & gastronomy businesses who are interested in sourcing contracts for beeswax or organic honey please get in touch via email [email protected]
