Background from Founder and ZanaA Board member, Dr. Mukuria Mwangi

Having worked in the Eastern Mau Forest since 2005, I have personally witnessed the human potential to destroy the most critical catchment area Kenya. While living in East Mau for nearly four years, I formed a personal relationship with the communities both indigenous and migratory and learned of their personal challenges as well as their views about the forest. Each year the diminishing forest has affected key areas of development including impacts on tourism, agriculture, energy and community health. My experience has motivated a personal mission to develop practical solutions to help preserve the Mau forest while empowering diverse communities to provide for themselves and their families. REFUGE is the result of this journey (Restoring Forests for Future Generations).

visit Mukuria’s blog

REFUGE’s Partners

REFUGE has formed key partnerships with UNEP’s Billion Tree Campaign and Medea Group Limited to provide expertise in the areas of tree planting and “fusion farming.” Each organization has a track record of transforming landscapes and communities through innovative community-based approaches. Directly and indirectly, communities working with REFUGE to produce a positive effect on local ecosystems while enhancing regional food security and reducing poverty through sustainable income generation.  The ZanaAfrica Group will be working with REFUGE ensuring transparency, accountability and reporting for all funds raised on behalf of REFUGE to support the restorative work REFUGE plans to implement in the Mau Forest.

REFUGE’s Mission and Goal

REFUGE seeks to implement environmentally sustainable solutions to protect the Mau forest while addressing the pervasive issue of rural poverty by providing food security through innovations in rural farming methodologies.

The mission of REFUGE is to sensitize the local communities that live in the region, on how their actions directly and indirectly impact the lives of more than 300 million Africans in ten (10) neighboring countries. This initiative translates into community based initiatives that synergize optimal farming methods increasing yields, by leveraging “backpack farming” in cooperation with intensive reforestation exercises.

As the dominant economies of the world opt to go green, Kenya – emerging economies hold the potential to present themselves as contenders in the global marketplace by adopting a proactive stance towards supporting the environment.

The funds raised by REFUGE will help implement a strategic training and replanting program with indigenous communities of the Mau Forest. Our goal is to replant more than 100 million indigenous seedlings and train 50,000 local farmers and school children on the value of reforestation over the next 14 years.

A sweet deal

REFUGE isn’t stopping at tree planting, but leveraging the indigenous skills of the Ogiek as traditional bee-keepers to help them generate revenue to keep their children in schools and be the guardians of the forest they know themselves to be. Read more about the role of honey in the Ogiek’s culture and stay tuned for more developments on the project.