A remarkable initiative by Wildlife Works has brought hope and opportunities to 6,695 students from various learning institutions across Taita Taveta County. The community-based organisation has allocated bursaries totaling Sh70 million to economically disadvantaged yet academically gifted students, enabling them to continue their education despite financial constraints.
The bursaries were awarded to students from six locations within the county: Mwatate, Mwachabo, Marungu, Kasigau, Mackinnon, and Sagalla. The selection process was overseen by a community-elected locational bursary sub-committee, ensuring fair and equitable distribution. The recipients include students from secondary schools, colleges, and universities, along with primary school students with disabilities within the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project.
During the bursary disbursement ceremony in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County Governor Andrew Mwadime expressed profound gratitude to Wildlife Works. He highlighted the transformative impact of these bursaries on the county’s educational landscape. “Education is crucial in shaping the future of our students, particularly in our county where industries are scarce. It empowers them to explore economic opportunities beyond our local community,” stated Governor Mwadime.
The governor also acknowledged the sacrifices made by parents and guardians in supporting their children’s education. He assured Wildlife Works of the county government’s unwavering support in their conservation activities and urged the organisation to consider expanding the bursary programme to include more students from across the county.
“Let’s work in collaboration with the County government. There are students who perform excellently and get good results in Form 4. Some want to pursue prestigious courses but are held back by financial constraints. If possible, we can work together and come up with a way to support these students to further their studies,” Governor Mwadime added.
Joseph Mwakima, Wildlife Works Community Relations Officer, emphasized the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, especially the local community, in preserving the local forest ecosystem. He highlighted that the success of conservation initiatives has directly benefited students by providing access to quality education through bursaries.
“This support not only benefits the students but also emphasizes the positive outcomes of conservation efforts on the entire community,” Mwakima noted.
Since its inception in 2012, the educational investment programme by Wildlife Works has awarded bursaries to 43,837 students, with total disbursements exceeding Sh273 million. The programme is funded through income generated from selling carbon credits, allocated in consultation with the local community.
The Wildlife Works bursary programme stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives in fostering educational development and environmental conservation. As students in Taita Taveta County receive the support they need to pursue their academic dreams, the broader community continues to benefit from the sustainable efforts spearheaded by Wildlife Works.
