September saw Governors’ Camp Collection making a real difference in Kenya. We empowered girls with menstrual hygiene education and supplies, supported the provision of vital healthcare to rural communities through medical outreaches, and continued our support for wildlife conservation, including the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
Our Eco Clubs, a testament to our long-term commitment to conservation, actively engaged children in hands-on learning about ecosystems, conservation, and essential life skills.
Mugie Conservancy, in collaboration with The Moyo Foundation, Governors’ Mugie and other partners, conducted three impactful medical outreaches in underserved communities during the month, providing essential healthcare services to over 900 people.
A recent medical outreach clinic – photo credit Dan Palmer
These outreaches delivered vital care, including general consultations, deworming, family planning, antenatal care, and immunisations. Beyond treatment, the team also focused on community health education, promoting improved sanitation, better home ventilation, and family planning to address prevalent health challenges.
Governors’ Camp Collection provides the funds required to run one clinic every second month. Our staff were also on hand to assist at the Longewan outreach, which provided relief to over 400 community members.
These successful efforts demonstrate a strong commitment to improving community well-being and highlight the power of partnership in addressing critical healthcare needs.
“Period poverty” is a harsh reality for many Kenyan girls, leading to missed school days, lower grades, and even dropping out. This month, we took another stand against this injustice during a visit to St. Andrews Tarabete.
Through an engaging session led by Liz from PadMad, young girls received crucial information on menstrual hygiene, tracking their cycles, managing cramps, and understanding their bodies.
Reusable sanitary pad donation event – photo credit Dan Palmer
The distribution of 100 reusable sanitary kits offered much-needed practical support, while demonstrations on proper usage and disposal reinforced sustainable practices. This impactful initiative fosters healthier lives and empowers these girls to confidently navigate their journey through womanhood. These pads, made locally by women, offer a sustainable solution to period management.
We believe that education is critical to breaking down stigma and empowering girls. By providing access to safe period products and knowledge, we’re helping these young women stay in school, achieve their dreams, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
In our June blog, we shared a story of a long-crested eagle that was receiving care and fighting for its life at The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust (KBoPT) after suffering severe electric shock from power lines. The injuries were devastating: a necrotic foot and wing ravaged by the unforgiving power of electricity.
The injured long-crested eagle receiving care in June – photo credit Alisa Karstad
The dedicated team at KBoPT did everything they could to try and give it a second chance at life. Sadly, despite these efforts, the eagle’s condition continued to deteriorate. The necrosis spread through its right leg and opposing wing, whilst bumblefoot infection set into the left foot. Ultimately, the team had to make the difficult decision to euthanise the bird to prevent further suffering.
A thermal image photo clearly shows the cold ‘dead’ right leg, whilst the left leg is hot and infected – photo Credit KBoPT
This is the tragic reality of electrocution – a preventable cause of death that is decimating raptor populations across Kenya. This image below is not easy to see, but it’s a crucial reminder of the devastating consequences of unsafe energy infrastructure. Every year, countless birds, including raptors like this long-crested eagle, lose their lives to electrocution.
The dead eagle – photo credit KBoPT
KBoPT is working tirelessly to mitigate this threat. They rescue and rehabilitate injured birds, advocate for bird-safe energy infrastructure, and educate the public about the dangers of electrocution. The Trust relies on donations to continue its vital work. Please help us honour this eagle’s memory by making a donation and 100% of the funds received will be passed onto The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust.
Governors’ Camp Collection is proud to cover the meat cost for the rescued birds each month fully, contributing to KBoPT’s important work.
At Governors’ Camp Collection, we take pride in growing much of our own fresh produce in our camp gardens. Pok choi, spinach, kale, herbs, and lettuce – all lovingly cultivated and used to create delicious meals for our guests. Our dedicated gardener, Fred, is passionate about his role and has created a thriving garden in each of our Mara camps. His enthusiasm is evident in every harvest, ensuring our guests enjoy the freshest, most flavourful ingredients.
Governors’ Camp gardener, Fred – photo credit Dan Palmer
We had the pleasure of hosting Adams Kipchumba (East Africa Programs Officer for the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) at Governors’ Camp. GCF is the only NGO in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of giraffes in the wild throughout Africa.
Adams conducting a giraffe survey – photo credit Dan Palmer
Four species of giraffe exist, three of which are found in Kenya. The Maasai giraffe population has declined by over 50% in recent decades, from an estimated 71,000 individuals three decades ago to around 45,400 today. The species is now listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Maasai giraffes – photo credit Dan Palmer
One of the biggest threats facing the species is habitat loss and fragmentation due to human activities such as agriculture, settlements and infrastructure development. Poaching for bushmeat and traditional medicines is another significant threat. Prolonged droughts can also negatively affect their populations as they can lead to food shortages and increased vulnerability to disease.
Several ongoing conservation efforts are aimed at protecting the Maasai giraffe, including habitat conservation, anti-poaching patrols, and community education programs.
Giraffe survey in the Masai Mara – photo credit Dan Palmer
GCF is conducting the first-ever detailed surveys of Maasai giraffes in the Masai Mara ecosystem. The results will provide a better estimate and understanding of the giraffes and their range and thus help inform policymakers on giraffe conservation. Such efforts are vital if there is hope of reversing the current population decline, ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic animal.
Adams gives an insightful talk to guests and staff at Governors’ Camp – photo credit Dan Palmer
We were pleased to have been able to accommodate Adams for four nights whilst he was in the area carrying out part of this census. While with us, he gave an insightful presentation to many of our guides and interested guests at Governors’ Camp.
Suguta Mugie Eco-Club – Laikipia
The newly formed EcoClub at Suguta Mugie Primary School recently began its exciting CITW journey by delving into the interconnectedness of ecosystems as it explored “The Web of Life.”
Web of Life EcoClub Lesson – photo credit Mugie Conservancy
Thirty students discovered the intricate relationships between different trophic levels, the delicate balance of food chains and webs, and humans’ profound environmental impact.
In a second session, they dove deep into the water cycle, focusing on its stages, the different states of water, and the importance of water conservation. Through hands-on experiments and discussions, the students gained a deeper understanding of the water cycle and its significance, inspiring them to take ownership of conservation efforts.
The Water Cycle EcoClub lesson – photo credit Mugie Conservancy
A final session covered the 3 R’s of waste management: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Students learned the importance of protecting the environment and took action by cleaning up around the school.
The 3 R’s of waste management lesson – photo credit Dan Palmer
The learning then continued with a visit to the Mugie Conservancy Waste Segregation Area, where they saw how waste generated within the conservancy is sorted and reused.
EcoClub students visit the waste segregation area – photo credit Dan Palmer
The most exciting day of discovery awaited the young conservationists as they enjoyed a game drive through the conservancy. Here, they learnt about the various plant, mammal, and bird species and their interconnectedness within the ecosystem.
Mugie EcoClub students enjoy a game drive – photo credit Dan Palmer
Mara Rianda Primary School EcoClub – Masai Mara
One of the various topics covered this month focused on the importance of communication for effective problem-solving and teamwork. Through a fun group skipping rope activity, members practised non-verbal communication and collaborative planning to achieve a shared goal.
Communication EcoClub lesson – photo credit Alisa Karstad
This lesson emphasised the power of clear communication in fostering understanding and cooperation, which are vital skills for personal and group success.
Mara Rianda School EcoClub – photo credit Alisa Karstad
TAFA Community Center EcoClub – Great Rift Valley
Our enthusiastic TAFA EcoClub members enjoyed a lesson focused on trees. They learned about the different parts of a tree, their vital functions, and how trees act as producers in the ecosystem. The group also discovered the diverse types of trees found in their environment.
Tree EcoClub lesson – photo credit Dan Palmer
An outdoor activity brought the lesson to life, highlighting the crucial connection between trees and the wildlife they support. This hands-on experience instilled a deeper appreciation for trees’ vital role in maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
Through engaging activities and interactive learning, the CITW programme aims to ignite a passion for conservation and equip young minds with the knowledge and inspiration to become stewards of our planet’s precious web of life.
By Alisa Karstad, Impact Manager for Governors’ Camp Collection.
If you would like to learn more about any of our Community and Conservation efforts, you can reach out to us via email at info@governorscamp.com
If you’d like to support our work, you can do so via our secure online payment platform, which is linked below.
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