Dear MEP Champion,
I feel like I’m always saying this, but it was a busy but fulfilling quarter of activities for the Mara Elephant Project coexistence team and I always struggle on where to start first.
One of the more meaningful experiences for the team was when we facilitated an information exchange between the first and second group of participants from the out-grower program. As a reminder, the farmers participating in the out-grower program are cultivating five HEC resistant crops, all carefully selected for their resilience, market demand and sustainability. Additionally, they have been receiving training in financial literacy, agribusiness and value addition.
What began last year with five women-led community farming groups is now growing into a powerful network. This quarter the program welcomed eight new groups across six different communities, and we facilitated a handover exchange between the first group and the new group. The farmers who are now ready for harvest shared their journey with those who are preparing to secure land and begin the planting process.
Some of my favorite reflections shared that day include:
“Through this program, I’ve gained the confidence to step out of my comfort zone, diversify my income, and inspire my daughters to dream bigger.”
“Having a proper written agreement with the chief about our land use has made it easier to work confidently and avoid misunderstandings.”
“I want to be a bridge for changing mindsets around elephants and wildlife, showing our community that coexistence is possible.”
These sentiments were shared by women from different communities, and created a powerful space for connection, honesty and growth. Seeing these women come together, share knowledge, and support one another has been incredibly inspiring.
Equally as inspiring is learning that the expansion of this program has been funded this year by the Michael Otto Foundation for Sustainability. This program is not just about farming, it’s about building confidence, resilience, and a future where people and wildlife can thrive side by side. In some areas, multiple farms are now thriving, reflecting the program’s expanding reach and impact.
The coexistence team also received some welcomed news when the founding funder of our educational initiative, Kampur Travel Diaries, committed once again to supporting these vital activities in 2026. MEP has supported educational conservation activities in 17 schools since the project’s inception in 2024, and with the enrollment of seven additional schools this year, the total number of supported schools now stands at 24.
To start the year, the MEP education team visited 13 participating schools, reaching a total of 755 students with activities like tree planting where a total of 627 trees were planted, eight book drive initiatives and two community clean-up exercises aimed at promoting environmental leadership. The education team also helped facilitate the planting of a new kitchen garden at Olorkoti High School.
The team continued maintenance of the MEP kitchen garden in the first quarter, harvesting a total of 92 kg of vegetables, which were supplied to the MEP headquarters’ kitchen. Additionally, 66 kg of chili was harvested and processed into chili powder. The team also trained 86 women on how to make kitchen gardens at home, and they received seedlings to get them started. Notably, more women have visited the MEP coexistence farm in the last quarter to request seedlings and trees for planting in their homes, especially during this rainy season.
Speaking of the rain, with the onset of the heavy rains in March, the MEP farm focused on seed propagation and seedling collection. A total of 1,747 seedlings and seeds were propagated, alongside the establishment of a tree nursery using seedlings grown from seedballs, which will later be transplanted to designated sites.
Finally, I had the privilege of presenting at the Women in Conservation Forum held in Nairobi, in conjunction with the Global Conservation Tech and Drone Forum. During the forum, the MEP team showcased the role women play in advancing conservation through coexistence initiatives. The event provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, learning and representation of MEP’s work.
Now you can see why it was hard to choose what to start with! None of this is possible without your continued support and as we officially launched a new year of promoting coexistence in the Mara, I remain grateful for the foundation you’ve provided my team.
