Maasai Traditional Knowledge Mapping

April 8, 2021

One of the primary activities identified in the initial planning of the Kesho Trust’s collaboration with and support of the Enguserosambu Forest Trust was to undertake traditional knowledge mapping of the cultural characteristics and use of their homeland.  The importance of this work was emphasized by Canadian First Nations communities to the EFT representatives who undertook a study tour to Canada in 2019.

Recognizing this priority, the Kesho Trust undertook a traditional knowledge mapping project based on interviews with over 50 elders and knowledge holders in the four Maasai communities of Enguserosambu Ward.   The project was coordinated by a volunteer experienced in the process with Canadian First Nations.  Erik Val (Yukon, Canada), who visited Enguserosambu on the first Kesho Trust study tour in 2018, returned to Almatasia Camp and coordinated the research along with the very able assistance of volunteer field coordinator, Julius Daniel (KT Tanzania), and community researchers Koisikir Nangiria, Terere Tutayo, Anna Shololoi and Stephen Sitoi. 

Erik produced the final report which is now available online on our website:  Maasai Traditional Knowledge Mapping.  Mapping support was provided by Brian Lewis (Montreal, Canada) and the Geography Department of the University of Victoria

UVic students’ Fundraising for KT

April 3, 2020

Reminder:  Students at UVic who had participated in our field school in Tanzania last year had been developing a fundraising event for the Kesho Trust as part of their Global Development Studies course. With the spread of COVID-19 they have had to cancel the event and instread have prepared a gofundme campaign. We hope that you will check out their work at the link below and consider donating.  Thanks.

Gofundme

Monica Kurumbe – Our Youth Champion Candidate

March 12, 2020

In cooperation with the Northern Council for Global Cooperation (NCGC), the Kesho Trust has been successful in our application to the Youth Champions component of the Spur Change program. Monica Kurumbe, from our partner organization EMAYO, was our proposed applicant to the program and with the success of our application will participate in the program activities both online in Tanzania and during a trip to Canada later this year.

The Spur Change program is funded by Global Affairs Canada and aims to increase the effectiveness of Canadian small and medium organizations to deliver sustainable results in support of the Feminist International Assistance Policy and the Sustainable Development Goals. It seeks to increase the engagement of Canadian organizations in international development and especially youth, as global citizens. Online activities linking all participants in the program globally and subsequent activities in Canada will provide youth with the experiences, tools and opportunities to serve as local and national leaders on the Sustainable Development Goals

The Kesho Trust is delighted to be involved with this program and to have Monica, a longstanding contributor from our partner organization EMAYO, involved with the program. We will provide updates on the program over the next few months so please be sure to check in on our website and Facebook page.

Tanzania Field School 2020

March 12, 2020

Together with UVic, the Kesho Trust is preparing for the 2020 version of the Tanzania field school that was so successful last August. There will be some changes this year in the agenda, including some time spent exploring the landscape, successes and issues of the Enduimet WMA adjacent to Mt. Kilimanjaro, but the general focus of the program will remain the same. There is a strong emphasis on conservation and the cultural context of the Maasai in present day Tanzania with all the opportunities and challenges for achieving the sustainable development goals. Emmanuel ole Kileli and Bruce Downie are currently making logistical preparations for the program which is schedule to take place in August of this year.