There is more than one way to save lions! As the UK Government continues to block all attempts to bring in a ban on the import of lion trophies, we must find every additional way to save lions from their increasingly looming extinction in the wild.
Human/lion conflict is another significant cause of wild lion mortality and this is something we CAN do something about. And furthermore, in doing so, we can, at the same time, help an impoverished rural community that can't afford to feed its children in school and who must use hugely inadequate educational facilities.
Read the report below:
Recently, LionAid began an integrated project with the Merrueshi community on the border of Amboseli National Park to assist in an innovative and community-derived project to protect both livestock and predators.
The project involves, minimally, providing community members with solar panels and flashing lights to protect livestock from nocturnal predator raids. Such solar panels also provide much needed illumination inside households to allow school children to be able to complete their home assignments with good light instead of the current flickering flames from paraffin lanterns.
It has become apparent to LionAid that school children in the project area require much more. While the Kenya government has made a commitment to “free” school education for primary students, the reality requires much closer inspection.
The Merrueshi primary school lacks many facilities. There might be a school building, some teachers, a few desks – but there are few other necessary provisions for the health and welfare of the students. No school meals, bare necessities in terms of provisions, and highly inadequate toilet facilities.
Have a look at the picture. The toilets are outside sheds in bad repair that the girls, at least, are reluctant to use. The school buildings show that there is a bare minimum school house provided with no glass in the windows.
The Kenya government states that good education is key to the development of their nation. But this statement seems inapplicable to primary (and secondary) schools in rural areas? Under the country’s constitution, every child in Kenya has a right to free and compulsory basic education. It is mandatory for any parent who is a Kenyan or whose child resides in the country to enrol them for primary and secondary education, according to the Basic Education Act of 2013. But the government is in disarray to provide for all the “secondary costs” that fall on parents – uniforms, lunches, hiring of non-teaching staff, etc.
Rural schools therefore have a very low attendance rate.
The LionAid Merrueshi project should therefore also provide initial funding to bring their primary school into an acceptable standard. Good teachers, school lunches, proper toilet facilities, free uniforms, all school supplies including books. Perhaps even internet connectivity?
Along with the boma protection kits and home solar light provision, the community would be even more convinced that protection of predators is key to wellbeing IF this is linked to their children being able to attend a primary school of high standards?
This initial investment in the school could provide much good will from the community. And once the “insurance herd” concept is implemented, the livestock protected will provide the community with a durable and long-term resource to continue to protect against predator depredation and a means of better education for their children.
Please support this project if you can - Saving lions, supporting this rural community with basic education and the alleviation of rural poverty. Can we all dig deep and spare even a small amount to allow this project to proceed?