Wildlife Conservation

At SAWA SAWA, our mission is to create sustainable solutions to poverty by harnessing ancient craftsmanship in weaving, beading, art, and more. As we work to empower artisan women across Kenya, our journey naturally leads us to communities living in wildlife-rich areas. Among these are the Samburu women in Laikipia County and the Maasai women in Sekenani, where our efforts have evolved into meaningful partnerships with organizations like the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in northern Kenya.

Our role is to alleviate poverty sustainably and restore women as stewards of nature, in harmony with the environment. By empowering women economically, we help reduce human-wildlife conflict and foster a deep-rooted commitment to wildlife conservation. We have partnered with the chief of Sekenani village in the Maasai Mara to build on this vision and create real, lasting impact for wildlife, people, and the planet.

Key Initiatives

1. Solar Lighting for Artisan Families

Human-wildlife conflict is a significant challenge in many of the areas where our artisans live, particularly when wildlife comes close to homes at night, attacking domestic animals and endangering people. One of our key solutions is providing solar lights, including motion-detecting lights, which help deter wildlife from entering villages. These lights not only protect artisan families but also prevent the killing of wildlife, especially big cats, as a response to such attacks.

By creating safer environments for our artisans and their families, we remove the need for violent responses to wildlife encounters, thus preserving endangered species while ensuring the well-being of the communities we support.

2. Cultural Tourism in the Maasai Mara

In partnership with the chief of Sekenani, we’ve developed a cultural immersion experience for tourists visiting the Maasai Mara. Tourists can experience the Great Migration, wildlife safaris, and authentic interactions with Maasai culture, including overnight stays in traditional shelters. This project generates income for local communities, fostering a positive relationship between humans and wildlife, where conservation becomes a source of livelihood rather than a source of conflict.

Through tourism, we demonstrate how protecting wildlife and the environment benefits everyone involved, helping to ensure that both nature and indigenous cultures thrive together.

3. Anti-Poaching Efforts Through Economic Empowerment

Many poaching incidents are driven by the economic desperation of locals who are hired to track wildlife for foreign entities. By introducing economic freedom to the communities we work with—through beading, weaving, leatherwork, and the use of local grasses and fibers—we provide an alternative to poaching. Economic empowerment breaks the cycle of exploitation and turns community members into protectors of the wildlife that they once felt pressured to harm.

These communities have long viewed caring for wildlife as a sacred duty, and by reviving traditional craftsmanship, we are restoring their role as guardians of the environment. This not only helps save the big cats and other endangered species from extinction but also ensures that future generations can inherit the wisdom passed down through these indigenous communities.

Additional Wildlife Conservation Initiatives

•  Habitat Preservation: Through our partnerships, we support efforts to conserve key habitats for wildlife, preventing deforestation and degradation of natural resources. By promoting sustainable living and resource use, we create long-term benefits for both people and wildlife.
•  Education and Awareness: We work to educate local communities about the importance of preserving biodiversity and the critical role that species like lions and elephants play in maintaining the balance of ecosystems.

Join Us in Conserving Wildlife and Empowering Communities

We invite you to travel with us on our annual Rafiki trips to Kenya, where you can immerse yourself in the lives of the artisans we work with. These trips provide a unique opportunity to live, eat, and travel like a local, experiencing the rich culture and breathtaking beauty of Kenya while supporting our mission. Whether it’s sharing a meal with Samburu women or witnessing the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara, this journey is one of connection, purpose, and conservation. To travel with us, [click here - travel page].

Partner with Us for a Wildlife-Friendly Future

We are committed to creating a world where humans and wildlife can coexist peacefully. However, we need the right tools to make this vision a reality. Solar lights and other conservation measures can dramatically reduce human-wildlife conflict, but we need your help to bring these solutions to more communities. To partner with us in conserving wildlife and preserving habitats, [contact us here - contact page]

Support Our Mission

Another powerful way to contribute is by shopping our collection of artisan-crafted goods. Every purchase empowers women in Kenya and helps fund our wildlife conservation activities on the ground. Browse our unique, sustainable products today and be part of a movement that is saving wildlife, empowering women, and creating a more sustainable future for all. (Shop page) (Amazon) (Stockists)

Together with our artisans, partners, shoppers, donors, and friends, we are building a world where wildlife and people thrive in harmony.