Ecotourism Kenya, Volunteer, Culture and wildlife

JOIN 21 DAYS EDUCATIONAL INDIGENOUS REFORESTATION PROGRAM

2011-10-10T02:38:00.000-07:00

Why this event
As part of nationwide efforts to increase the forest cover of the total land from the current 2% to 10%, we will be bringing together volunteers, community members and experts in the environmental field for interactive workshops and fun filled activities. This will also facilitate informed reforestation of Shimba Hills ecosystem with new 30,000 indigenous tree seedlings within a period of 21 days from 19th November to 11th December 2011.

Event activities summary

Interactive workshops and seminars
Tree planting sessions across the community
Educational recreational activities
Village homestead visits for cultural exchanges

Expected representations

United Nations Environmental program (UNEP)
Kenya Forest Service (KFS)
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
Local Community Forest Association (CFA)
International Students (Volunteers)
Community Members

How to get involved

local and international organizations can send participants and individuals too can apply directly to take part in the program. Due to limited space of placements, opportunity to participate shall be granted on first come first serve basis as there are no professional qualifications that will be required from volunteers.

For further details of the program information and application requirements please send us email:
Contact person: Charles Amolo
Email adress: volunteer@malaikaecotourism.com

Mau Reforestation - join the pilot project

2011-06-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

Bring your share and work with Coral Cay Conservation experts in Mau reforestation pilot project first phases. Live and share with the community, while protecting and restoring the great fauna and flora of indigenous Mau forest.

Indeed, this is one of the forests which were quoted in Copenhagen 2010 summit to show some challenges of the climate change effects. It is also the main water tower that serves Lake Victoria, one the biggest lakes in Africa. Deforestation effects of this forest have been felt up to the north of Africa, due to river Nile’s source is served by Mau Forest.

Join the pilot project which will kick off this summer

For more information and registration: http://www.coralcay.org

Malaika is looking for an Event project Coordinator - please apply

2010-12-27T01:46:00.000-08:00

MalaikaEcotourism Limited – based in Nairobiis looking for an event project coordinator to start working in February 2011.This person will have the opportunity to work in Kenya for an international event.

Jobdescription:

Experiencedin organising events, with ability to manage administration, communication andlogistics, e.g. communication with public & private sponsors, coordinationwith local institutions

Must be able to anticipate project needs, discernwork priorities, and meet deadlines with little supervision, and be willing towork occasional evenings and weekends.

The event coordinator should have a love forspecial event management, provide outstanding customer service, be anenthusiastic professional, and be able to build relationships with internal andexternal customers.

Event Planning and Production:

Assist with negotiations for space contracts and book event space and book accommodation with suppliers
Aggressively gather information on each project to achieve quality event productions.
Conduct research, make site visits, and find resources to help staff make decisions about event possibilities.
Create and revised all events layouts
Propose new ideas to improve the event planning and implementation process.
Serve as liaison with vendors on event-related matters.
Assist with managing on-site production and clean up for events as necessary.
Prepare nametags, materials, notebooks, packages, gift bags, registration lists, seating cards, etc.
Close out all events as required.

EventAdministration:

Assist with preparing budgets
Provide periodic progress reports to staff directors
Keep track of event finances including check requests, invoicing, and reporting.
Coordinate appointments and visits to see space and scheduling of events on the calendar.
Prepare and modify event contracts as requested

Qualifications:

Excellent communication skills, including writing, proof reading skills, and speaking.
Ability to manage multiple projects and work assignments from a variety of staff and volunteers.
Excellent interpersonal skills both in person and by phone, with high professionalism.
Ability to accomplish projects with little supervision.
Fantastic customer service ethic and high expectations for quality.
Bachelor’s degree preferred; significant work experience can substitute for the degree.
At least 3 years experience with office administrative management.
At least 1 year experience coordinating events.
At least 1 year experience of coordination with institutions (public/private)
Proficient using the latest versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and mail merges; email and web searches.

Please send resume + cover letter to info@malaikaecotourism.com byJanuary 8th 2011 the latest.

Contact:Edwin Abonyo – Tel: +254 20 2157732

Medical care arrives for endangered tribe

2010-12-20T11:20:00.000-08:00

International Day of Volunteering & Volunteers Impacts on Community projects

2010-12-05T13:21:00.000-08:00

International Volunteer Day (IVD) is an International Day set by the United Nations since 1985.

The aim of this activity is to thank the volunteers for their efforts and increase public awareness on their contribution to society.

On this very day, Malaika Ecotourism is even more proud to have reached some positive impacts to support local communities’ initiatives, through eye opening volunteer program to the grassroots projects for sustainable growth and development against dependency.

As the year 2010 winds up and we look forward to greater achievements, it has significantly changed the lives of both local communities and volunteers as stated by one of our community project member:

“Volunteers have awakened a new sense of pride to our initiatives in the small forgotten villages of the world, it is a spirit to be upheld” Ann Anam – Uhanga education water and sanitation project, Nyanza Province – Kenya.

Indeed, this is a spirit to be cherished and honoured just like those who have volunteered would testify it. There are many other sentiments echoed by volunteers and the communities, such as appreciation, pride, and openness to other cultures… This appreciation and hope calls for the continuation of our programs for the benefit of the local people.

In this Year 2010, we have worked with more that 10 different community projects in Kenya dealing with environment and wildlife conservation, humanitarian, teaching, health, etc….

In these projects, we have been able to get over 200 international volunteer applicants from all over the world. And this has helped the communities to take the projects to the next level, for the benefit of the whole community, through implementation of ideas shared by the volunteers, skills input and physical labour.

There is still a lot to be done and many community initiatives to be uplifted. We thus hope that Year 2011 will bring more smiles to volunteer’s faces and thumbs up developmental steps to the community projects we support. We appreciate the efforts that have been put by our partners, which makes it easier for volunteers to find suitable placements. We also want to thank all the volunteers who have offered their time and energy to community projects. And we welcome any goodwill among the young people around the world, who want to make a difference in development and will thus discovered more about themselves.

Read more about our projects: http://www.malaikaecotourism.com/Volunteer_Programs_Kenya.html

Lamu's verdict

2010-11-30T02:01:00.000-08:00

Saving Lake Naivasha

2010-11-29T06:34:00.000-08:00

Saving the turtles

2010-11-29T06:33:00.000-08:00

Turkana in desperate need of water

2010-11-28T22:08:00.000-08:00

Concerns over quality of education

2010-11-23T11:54:00.000-08:00

Beauty and splendour of Kericho

2010-11-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

Uwindaji Haramu

2010-11-20T04:26:00.000-08:00

Climb Mt Kilimanjaro for Charity of The Nature& People

2010-11-19T07:09:00.000-08:00

Summury: Offering climbers chance to make change in projects we support Offering trekkers to fundraise for charity of their choice

Projects supported with trekking:
Children Orphanage in Moshi
Youth group in shimba hills
Women group around Lake Victoria

Travel Dates:
Machame route (Orphans dormitory) 12th Feb 2011
Rongai Route (Trees Planning) 9th July 2011
Lemosho route (Adult education) 13th August 2011
Marangu route (Conservation of Elephants) 9th April 2011

Program
3 days to 1 week visit the project
Climbing depending on routing

http://www.malaikaecotourism.com/KilimanjaroCharityClimbing.html

Cultural Tour In Kenya

2010-11-19T07:02:00.000-08:00

Mijikenda: Meet and share with people
Community: 9 Mijikenda ethnic group In the Kenya Coast

Duration: 1week (7 days)
Accommodation: Community family stay
Meals: local food
Minimum pax: One and join Group
Read More:http://www.malaikaecotourism.com/Cultural_Tour_Mijikenda.html

Dtae of Join A group
Month	Start	End
Feb	5-Feb-2011	12-feb-2011
July	2-July2011	9-July-2011
Nov	5-Nov-2011	12-Nov-2011

Running Training in Kenya

2010-11-19T06:33:00.000-08:00

Join Malaika Ecotourism Group on Running
Community: Kalenjin
Training Duration: 15 days
Accommodation: HATC/Hostel or family stay
High Altitude: 2400m above the sea level
Minimum Group: 15 people
Area atractions: famous athletes, sceneries, ecosystem, culture:
Read More: http://malaikaecotourism.com/runiten.htm

Dates to join a group
Month	Start	End
Jan	9-Jan-2011	24-Jan-2011
Feb	6-feb-2011	20-Feb-2011
June	5-June-2011	19-June-2011
Sept	3-Sept-2011	17-Sep-2011
Oct	8-Oct-2011	23-Oct-2011
Nov	6-Nov-2011	20-Nov-2011

adoption Mau forest Kenya

2010-11-18T23:16:00.000-08:00

The organizations coming on board include African Wildlife Foundation, James Finlay, (K) Ltd., Malaika Ecotourism & Coral Cay Conservation UK, and Save the Mau Trust Fund. Read more: http://bit.ly/brmZgs

Loss of forest cover in Kenya has contributed to diminishing livelihoods of many Kenyans caused by reduced land productivity, famine and drought. The current drought experienced in the country in 2005/2006 is a case in point. Large-scale livestock deaths were reported, and in many places, incidences of resource use conflict were witnessed, leading to loss of human lives.

Though most of Kenya’s forests have been decimated by degradation among other factors, the Mau Complex forests cover, and in particular that of the Maasai Mau Forest has been the most affected, and has receded drastically over time.

The Mau Complex, the largest forest of Kenya, covers some 400,000 ha. It lies between 2,000 m and 2,600 m above the sea level, on the Western slope of the Mau Escarpment, and is situated approximately 250 km from Nairobi and border Kericho to the West, Nakuru to the North and Narok to the South. It comprises South West Mau, East Mau, Transmara, Mau Narok, Maasai Mau, Western Mau and Southern Mau. These seven forest blocks merge to form the larger Mau forest Complex. Out of all these blocks, only Maasai Mau is not gazetted.

UK prince proposed to fiancée in Kenya

2010-11-17T12:08:00.000-08:00

Britain’s Prince William, the second in line to the throne, will marry his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton next year.
William, 28, is the eldest son of heir to the British throne Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Middleton, also 28, became engaged in October while on holiday in Kenya at the Lewa Conservancy.
Read more http://bit.ly/ax1SsN

Girls escape FGM and early marriage

2010-11-15T22:15:00.000-08:00

See how Kenya looks good

2010-11-15T13:10:00.000-08:00

Mago workcamp was great

2008-12-20T06:37:00.000-08:00

After a busy end of year, we are at giving you a overview on July 2008 Mago nurserty tree plantation voluntary programme which last for 3 weeks Western part of Kenya (40mns from Kisumu)

In pictures:

Tree seedlings:

Family visits:

With the pupils:

and the award giving:

Thanks to Paula & Jan for their great pictures! There are many more though!

The results :

1) Over two hundred fruit and shed trees were planted within twenty one days
2) Participants met and made new friends with both Kenyans and Canadians, intercultural exchange especially on environment conservation topics were also successful.
3) Mago Primary School’s pupils were taught new environmental rehabilitation songs.
4) The community members had a sense of project’s ownership and turned up in large numbers to work voluntarily in the project.

Jan & Paula are actually trying to fundraise to further help the community they enjoyed meeting.
Please visit their fundraising site: http://www.givemeaning.com/proposal/waterpumps4mago

Go for Mago!

2008-05-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

The Mago project that is set to happen in July for 3 weeks, starting July 7th is going smoothly!
The idea of starting a tree nursery plantation in the village of Mago, located in Western Kenya, close to river Yalla is becoming tree no true!

Last month, an official from Malaika Ecotourism went to visit the community.
One youth group composed of 20 members and led by David is really involved in the project : they're working in building the future sustainability of the project. They cooperate with Malaika Ecotourism to find a ready market.

Indeed, the people from the area are in dire need of accessing to indigenous trees.
Malaika is also helping in creating other sustainable income generating activities, such as recycling animal waste to be used as manure, small farming irrigation, setting up other tourism attractions in the area...

Volunteers have applied in good number, but good wills are still needed!
Check on the project details by clicking on http://www.malaikaecotourism.com/mago%20community.htm

Welcome to Malaika Ecotourism's blog

2008-04-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

We're happy to meet you on this blog, which is mainly yours!
Feel free to comment about our website http://www.malaikaecotourism.com/, to ask us questions, to share about your travel experience in East Africa...

We'll keep you posted on our travel news, community project updates. We'll also give you a chance here to network with other Malaika travellers.

Asante Sana
Kwaheri