Something is shifting- quietly and steadily in classrooms, fields, and everyday moments across our nine partner schools.
In the first three months of 2026, the Children in the Wilderness (CITW) program has been creating meaningful spaces where conservation feels real and deeply connected to our students’ everyday lives. From celebrating World Wildlife Day to distributing essential learning materials, it’s been a remarkable first quarter of adventure and education.
Mara Rianda Eco-Club – photo credit Felix Rome
The year began with a renewed sense of energy as schools reopened after the holidays, with Eco Clubs across our partner schools quickly returning to their regular programmes.
TAFA Community Centre Eco-Club – photo credit Sam Whitton
This month’s focus was on re-engaging students, enrolling new members to replace outgoing students moving to higher grades, and establishing leadership structures within the clubs.
To establish a baseline, we carried out “CHEAKS” tests to assess current attitudes toward the environment and wildlife. These will be repeated at the end of the year to measure how our programmes have shaped students’ perspectives.
Mara Rianda Primary School – photo credit Felix Rome
Education was the central theme as we marked World Environmental Education Day on January 26, where members engaged in learning activities that connected their studies to real-life environmental responsibility.
Kisaruni Boys Secondary School Eco-Club artwork
We also combined fun with learning for International Zebra Day on January 31. Students at Suguta Mugie Primary were guided to the school fence line to observe zebras in their natural habitat and discuss their behaviour and patterns, while other clubs created artwork to raise awareness of zebra conservation.
TAFA Community Centre Eco-Club artwork
In February, the rainy season didn’t slow us down, as Eco-mentors continued to deliver lessons and students participated in conservation celebrations.
We took time to celebrate World Pangolin Day, which deepened our members’ understanding of why these shy, elusive mammals matter and what it means to protect them.
For World Hippo Day on February 15, students at Enkereri Primary participated in classroom lessons, watched documentaries, and took nature walks to nearby pools where hippos are often seen.
Donations provided to Enkereri Primary School – photo credit Felix Rome
With the generous support of our Governors’ Camp guests, we were able to provide our partner schools with 700 exercise books, 300 pens, 108 pencils, and other essential supplies, including footballs and crayons, to support both participation and continuity of learning.
Solar lanterns were gratefully received by one of the nearby Masai communities; they were donated to help young children do their homework at night.
Solar lantern donations to a nearby village – photo credit Felix Rome
March was a month of “hands-on” action, moving from the classroom into the dirt and the wider community.
Seedballs – photo credit Felix Rome
Suguta Mugie Eco-Club planting seeds
We celebrated World Wildlife Day by establishing tree nurseries at schools, where students were fully involved in planting indigenous species, including Olea africana and Seyal acacia.
Margaret Kenyatta Eco-Club
For World Water Day on March 22, students learned about water management and conservation through interactive lessons and art.
TAFA Community Centre Eco-Club – photo credit Felix Rome
TAFA Community Centre Eco-Club
The program welcomed a Wilderness GEL (Guest Experience Liaison) team Charity Drive initiative, where essential items, including sports equipment, books, stationery, and clothing, were donated to children at the TAFA Community Centre.
TAFA Community Centre receiving donations – photo credit Felix Rome
These donations, hand-delivered by our CEO, Hein Prinsloo, and his daughter, Riley, directly support the children’s well-being and daily needs.
The Mugie Eco Club spent time both in and outside their classrooms learning all about poaching.
This lively and interactive session focused on personal initiatives that students can take, such as reporting suspicious activity and raising awareness to protect endangered animals.
Suguta Mugie Eco-Club – photo credit Felix Rome
As Sharon, our CITW Community Coordinator, beautifully notes, “When a learner can explain something, draw it, and connect it to their daily life, it becomes part of them.” Our CITW program continues in April with a special focus on training our Eco-Mentors to strengthen lesson delivery and build on this incredible momentum. Together, we continue to inspire and empower the next generation of conservation leaders.
We remain committed to making a positive impact on communities, educating future generations, and conserving Kenya’s diverse wildlife. Your stay with us directly contributes to these efforts.
If you would like to learn more about any of our Impact efforts, you can reach out to us via email at [email protected]. If you’d like to support our work, you can do so via our secure online payment platform:
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By Alisa Karstad, Impact Manager and Sharon Muthoni, CITW Community Coordinator for Governors’ Camp Collection and Children in the Wilderness.
