Why Were These Clubs Formed?

The Mountain Bongo Wildlife Clubs were formed in 2007, to increase awareness of the Bongo Surveillance conservation initiative. Schools were specifically selected by the Bongo Surveillance team, on the basis of their proximity to where the last remaining few bongo herds had been identified; Mount Kenya, the Aberdares, Eburu and Mau regions.

The Bongo Surveillance Project (BSP) members felt the involvement of the community was vital. Without their commitment it would be an impossible task to conserve the surrounding forests, minimize wildlife poaching activities and subsequently protect this critically endangered antelope. The Wildlife Clubs were thus formed with a mission:

"The Mountain Bongo Wildlife Clubs mission is to create an awareness of the importance of conserving the Mountain Bongo and the surrounding forests for the benefit of both people and wildlife."

This awareness is achieved through sponsoring an educational programme for the children and their parents and this outreach has extended to over a 1000 people in the communities involved thus far. The schools currently involved in the Wildlife Clubs Programme are:

  • • Kamburaini Primary School (North Aberdares)
  • • Bondeni Primary School (Central Aberdares)
  • • Gichami Primary School (Southern Aberdares)
  • • Karurumo Primary School (Southern Aberdares)
  • • Kiangemi Primary School (Mt. Kenya)
  • • Gathirathiru Primary School (Mt. Kenya)
  • • Songoloi Primary School (Eburu)
  • • Ndabibi Primary School (Eburu)
  • • Muthaiti Primary School (Eburu)

The Mountain Bongo Wildlife Clubs currently consist of children aged 10-12 years. Each year as they reach Grade 5/6, a new group of children have the opportunity to experience an extensive activities programme that is both fun and educational. These early interactions with a conservation project could be the catalyst that changes their future, even if it is simply an increased awareness of our inextricable link with nature.

Wildlife Clubs Activities Programme

  • • Educational visits to National Parks; Aberdares, Lake Naivasha, Hells Gate...
  • • Bongo Surveillance Team - Interactive talks to schools on activity in the field.
  • • Bongo Drawing Competitions - Recognition certificate programme.
  • • School Environmental Day - demonstration projects.
  • • Water tank installation and rainwater harvesting projects.
  • • Conservation poetry and essay competitions.
  • • Introduction of Solar cooking equipment - Demonstrations and family trials.
  • • Alternative Fuels - cooking stoves.
  • • Agricultural technique talks. Potato projects and initiation of wormeries for soil quality improvement (in conjunction with the Kenyan government).
  • • Alternative Resources. Food Project - fish pond revenue development.
  • • Tree planting - currently around 200 trees planted per school.
  • • Visits to William Holden Wildlife Educational Centre - Mt Kenya
  • • Wildlife and Conservation Film shows to schools and community.
  • • Development of bongo posters, leaflets as educational materials for schools.
  • • Membership - Wildlife Clubs Kenya - Educational materials for schools.

    Who Benefits from the Wildlife Clubs Programme?

    The school children and community have directly benefited from the overall experience of being part of the Wildlife Clubs programme. Many of these children and their parents have never had the opportunity to visit their local National Parks before. To have a chance to see the forests and wildlife firsthand is a truly memorable experience for them. These are the people living in and around the national parks. For them to appreciate the true natural wonders that they have is priceless both in terms of enriching their personal lives and for conservation of these precious areas.

    The Wildlife Club's coordinator is a qualified local wildlife guide. Many of the children have become inspired through this programme to become guides themselves, a new generation of conservationists! They now appreciate that conservation is essential for the future and understand that by conserving the environment, everyone can directly benefit in the long term.

    Community Improvement Projects

    Water:The water projects have lead to vital access to water supplies for the children of the schools involved. With support from the BSP team, restoration of tank storage facilities means rainwater harvesting has become possible, providing access for the whole community. This is a new initiative for the BSP but one with very obvious benefits to those now able to collect cleaner water!

    Alternative Energy Opportunities: With access to sponsored new technologies, solar cooking sets have been donated to the schools. These have already shown some 50% savings in charcoal and Kerosene in trials, and can also give benefits of improved health, by cooking without smoke. This is a huge benefit to forest preservation as well as improved living standards for the communities. As part of the alterative energy kits donated to the schools, solar torches and smokeless stoves that require minimal fuel such as twigs, corn cobs and dried dung have been provided.

    Please keep checking our news pages for the latest developments! We are constantly working to secure the vital funds to continue and expand our educational programme to more schools and local communities and would be very happy to hear from you with any ideas, suggestions or donations! Please contact us directly at: bongosurveillanceproject@googlemail.com