The Milgis Trust

A YEAR IN THE MILGIS

To all the Milgis Trust’s supporters we say ashe oleng, thank you so much for being there through a difficult year in northern Kenya.  It has without doubt been a year of hardship and suffering for both the tribes and the wildlife of the Milgis Ecosystem; 2009 has indeed been the harbinger of one of the worst droughts seen for many a year.   But with the negatives come the positives and the Milgis Trust, despite the drought, despite the fall in tourism and despite all hurdles, has pulled through with strength and courage and is witnessing the effects of its continual hard work; ~ The Milgis ecosystem is regaining its balance~ Key wildlife species, endangered and rare are rebuilding in numbers ~ The Elephant population is expanding and thriving~ Clean drinking water is changing the lives of communities~ Education is growing and schools are flourishing   ~ Conservation awareness is succeeding ~ Medical support is expanding   

~ And in 2010 the Milgis Trust will unveil its new drought preparation Water Reservoir Unit; serving the entire Milgis Ecosystem with natural rain water harvesting reservoirs – with immense gratitude to our ‘friends of the Samburu’ in Portugal.

THE GIFT OF CLEAN WATER

The Milgis Trust has been incredibly lucky to have the support of the Voss Foundation (www.thevossfoundation.org) for two wonderful projects so far in the remote Samburu villages of Latakwen and Swari.  These water projects improve health, hygiene and living standards for all the community especially women and children.  With such support the Milgis Trust can install access to clean drinking water at schools, medical clinics and water kiosks within remote communities that are desperately in need of help.  And in support of our Swari Women Helping Women project we are thrilled to be welcoming 11of the women who helped fund the project, out on a safari in January 2010, celebrating the official opening of the village’s new water.  We are also thrilled to report that the Voss Foundation has now decided to fund another clean drinking water project to be implemented in 2010.

“When darkness joins the tropic moon To flood the landscape o’erWe know we may be hearing soonThe lion’s massive roar.Oh give me, give me, all these things…” By Sandy Field

SCHOOLS AND SMILES

Education is the route to understanding…and the Milgis Trust feels that the way forward for the future of this fragile land is through the children of the Milgis ecosystem.  By securing desperately needed support for new schools, classrooms, teachers and educational materials, these children will be in the position to improve their own futures and that of their families and become ‘ambassadors’ for conservation in their communities.    So far the Milgis Trust has built and outfitted two successful schools in the last 3 years.  The first, the Milgis School, is a wonderful hive of learning and is now considered one of the most influential schools in this vast area.  Four wonderful classrooms have been erected, a kitchen as well as shower and toilet facilities, with another classroom on the way in 2010 with thanks to our private funders.   We are also proud to say with your support the Milgis School is the only school in the area that has its very own clean drinking water supplied by a solar-power pump. The second school, Latakwen Nursery, is a beautiful school and enrolls an ever-increasing number of children who are thriving in an educational environment that they wouldn’t have otherwise had. 

In 2010 we will also be thrilled to announce the creation of Suruan Primary with thanks to the Toto Trust (who have also supported both other schools) and friends.  Suruan is an incredibly remote community nestled high within the Ndoto Mountains, which has never had access to education, making this project truly life changing.

THE BBC COMES TO THE MILGIS

The Samburu & the Elephant

As part of the BBC’s new series ‘Human Planet’ the Milgis Trust hosted a film crew within the Milgis ecosystem for 3 weeks.  The story is about the natural relationship between the Samburu people and the elephants and how they need each other to survive.

Despite the effects of the long-lasting drought last September, the scenes that unraveled throughout the day and through the night were absolutely fantastic.  The wildlife performed beautifully; elephants of all shapes and sizes calmly acted in front of the cameras and the Samburu people enjoyed the filming just as much as our guests.  This period was one of testimony to the work the Milgis Trust Scouts have been doing and proof that the wildlife is indeed returning to the Milgis and remaining safe and protected. 

BBC’s HUMAN PLANET BROADCAST CHRISTMAS 2010

‘We saw more elephants

 in a single evening than

we have seen in a decade of visiting the area.  It wasn’t just elephants though, it was kudu, desert warthog, jackals, hyena and a host of smaller game…

It is clear evidence that in approach and operation,

the Milgis Trust is

obviously doing

it right.’ 

Mark Deeble & Victoria Stone

 WILDLIFE & SCOUTS

With Protection comes Abundance; With Awareness comes Harmony

With the continued support from SHIKAR Safari Club International Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and our private funders the Milgis Trust was able to sustain its vital core operations; supporting 24 scouts all equipped with GPS units and radios, patrolling within the Trust’s massive 6,000sq kms coverage area.  Moving our 24-hour radio base, which was an enormous task involving the construction of the new station on the peak of a huge mountain overlooking the Milgis, Seiya and Barsaloi luggas, has also been a great success, improving communications considerably.   

This increase in coverage area and subsequently extended awareness creation has helped improve not only wildlife numbers and security but also human-wildlife relations.    For the first time in many years the Ostrich has returned to the Milgis Lugga, Elephants have moved to areas they have not gone to for more than 30 years and there is more than a visible increase in Greater Kudu, Lesser Kudu, Gerenuks, African Wild Dog and many more species.  Our umbrella species, the African Elephant has thrived under the expanded surveillance; such a presence has this year also meant three successful elephant rescues; two of which, Nchan and Kudup, are now safely homed at DSWT in Nairobi.  In order for this equilibrium to be sustained the Milgis Trust Scouts must continue their patrols throughout this fragile land.

 LATAKWEN’S NEW MEDICAL CLINIC

·            Remote communities can now access the medical support they so desperately need

·            Mobile clinics can now work effectively and regularly within this isolated land

With the wonderful support of MEAK (Medical and Educational Aid to Kenya; www.meak.org) and their friends from the U.S the Milgis Trust has been able to restore and refurbish an old building in the Samburu village of Latakwen and transform it into a life-changing medical clinic.  Through this sustainable support the Milgis Trust has now also been able to employ a fully qualified full-time nurse and cleaner to ensure the clinics ongoing success. On top of this we are overjoyed to announce that the Latakwen Medical Clinic will now be supported by a desperately needed ambulance and driver, offering emergency transport and treatment to the many remote areas within this vast land.

As with all our funded projects we implore our sponsors to come on safari and see for themselves what truly amazing things are being created with their support; and we look forward to welcoming the MEAK supporters in 2010.

Asante Sana . . . Ashe Oleng. . .Thank You. . . for your Support

MERRY

CHRISTMAS!

The Milgis Trust

PO BOX 93, Naro Moru
Kenya, 10105

Please keep in touch!

Helen@milgistrustkenya.com Stella@milgistrustkenya.com