Sue Holmes from the Yorkshire Wildlife Watch in the United Kingdom was in the country to run a unique children’s mosaic modelling workshop.

The project, which was the first of its kind in East and Central Africa, brought together 40 students from various Nairobi schools adjacent to the Ngong Forest Sanctuary, and aimed to develop a children’s nature trail designed by Kenyan youth for recreation and educational purposes. The workshop which was co-sponsored by Ford Foundation, UNDP, Bamburi Cement Ltd, Iron Art Ltd, Tile & Carpet Centre Ltd, Impala Glass Ltd and Athi River Marble Ltd, helped present different species of birds, animals and plants found in the sanctuary in an interesting and unique form. 

‘Winnie Duku’ nature trail, the first nature trail in the Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary, is named after a student of Malezi School who passed away in the forest while planting trees. Participating students/pupils in the workshop were from the following schools:- Lenana School, Moi Girls School Nairobi, Kenya High School, Malezi School, Lang’ata High School, Ngong Forest Primary School, Kilimani Primary School and Raila Educational Centre. 

The workshop was facilitated by Mrs. Sue Holmes from the UK and Kahare Miano from the University of Nairobi in conjunction with the Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary Trust. 

Can You Help?

1. Sponsor a Mosaic: Sponsor a mosaic and put your stamp in the forest for years to come. Each mosaic costs about Kshs. 2,000 to produce. 

2. Sponsor a bridge: part of the Winnie Duku Nature Trail (phase 2) requires the building of a suspended bridge, which was not catered for in the budget. The bridge will include a viewpoint. One can sponsor the cost of design and building for an estimated Kshs. 600,000 

3. Sponsor a manual for students: We would like to have various manuals with different themes: The Insect Book, The Butterfly Book, The Bird Book, The Animal Book, My Book On Grasses, My Trees Book. It will cost Kshs. 700,000 from data collection, design and production of 1,000 copies to distribute to schools. 

4. Sponsor the printing of the first manual: we need to get more sponsorship in order to get the first manual out to as many school children as possible. 

5. Sponsor a bus trip: it will cost about 8,000/- per trip of 80 Nairobi Children (KBS) to the sanctuary. 

6. Refreshments for children to the sanctuary: About 20 crates every weekend would be a great start.

For more information, please contact us.