Notes from Cameron: "Today with the Massai"

The red dust swirled and danced through the air as our safari vehicle tumbled down the uneven dirt path that led to a traditional Maasai village. Acacia trees towered over the rustic establishment and the sound of donkeys braying, children playing and women singing could be heard from outside. As we walked into the village, we passed small huts composed of sticks, cow dung and mud. We also joined in on a song and dance with Maasai women and warriors. David, our guide, gave the group a brief history of the Maasai and proceeded to show the many ways Maasai hunters stalked and killed their prey in the days when they were still hunters and gatherers. 

It may seem puzzling to many why the Maasai choose to stay living in the primitive lifestyle that traces back to thousands of years ago. In today’s world, one might think that the Maasai would choose to get wrapped up in modernization. However, these Maasai choose to stick to their roots and traditions. They are proud of who they are, and they are able to hold on to their traditional ways of life by letting people like us tour their homes and stay in the lodge. The Il Ngwesi lodge is completely run and owned by the Maasai, therefore it’s powerful to see how tourism — when done right — is a culturally sensitive way to generate valuable income that can be used for education and healthcare and other essential services while preserving heritage. 

- Cameron, 2019 Young Conservationists Alumni

Notes from Ellie: "Mother Care Day at the Lewa Clinic”

One of the organizations we visited on our first full day at Lewa was the local clinic. We learned that it is very popular, taking 60-70 patients everyday because of the variety of different services they offer. Of these services, I found contraception to be the most interesting.

The contraception is introduced to the women in the form of family planning. The family planning comes in the form of a shot, several different types of arm implants, and birth control. The family planning is often kept a secret from the husbands, and the clinic plays a crucial part in doing so by keeping the business of the women confidential.

Dr. Lydia informed us that because of the women’s subordinate position in the marriage due to the culture of the tribes, the women do not have as much influence in the decision on how many children they would like as the husbands generally do. As a result, the population continues to grow exponentially.

Traditionally, it is perceived that the more children you have the greater your wealth, and in the tribes, the role of the women is to look after the children. As the caretakers of the children that they give birth to, often times the women are not as concerned in having large families exhibit wealth. In recent years, the option of contraception and family planning has given the women of the tribe leverage in their decision to have children, and therefore allows them to gain more of a role of power.

- Elle, 2019 Young Conservationists Alumni

Notes from John

“The Lewa Young Conservationist Internship was the most rewarding program I have participated in. Nothing compares to the memories and friends made, and what we learned there opened my eyes to the horrors that wildlife face from poachers. You can learn about poaching online, but to understand the full extent you need to participate in this program. Experiences like traveling to the elephant underpass, jumping off waterfalls in Ngare Ndare forest, learning about the safety Lewa provides to the rhinos, and painting a school library are just a few of many exciting parts of this trip that I'll cherish forever.”

- John, 2017 Young Conservationists Alumni

Notes from Paige

“Lewa's Young Conservationist Internship is amazing. Spending 2 weeks in Kenya with Kate and John was a truly inspiring and life-changing experience. I can't praise the both of them enough for organizing such a wonderful trip that was so educational and impactful.”

- Paige, 2017 Young Conservationists Alumni

Notes from Layne

“My trip with Honeyguide Safaris was truly something I will never forget. The things I learned, the memories I made, and the people I met all added to my spectacular adventure. Working with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy community was fascinating, as I was able to really delve into the behind-the-scenes activity that makes Lewa what it is: an example of exceptional wildlife conservation. My experience inspired me to give back and spread the word about my trip, a passion-evoking, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime look into what wildlife conservation is all about.”

- Layne, 2016 Young Conservationists Alumni