Since the project begun in 2008, activities to conserve 5 indigenous forests and 10 sacred sites have been initiated; 20,000 trees have been raised and planted on farms and in forests; 300 farmers have been trained and are implementing skills on ecological and organic farming; 5 trainers have been trained on ecological and are assisting farmers to implement the skills; 2 communities have raised their food security levels from 3 months to between 8-11 months; over 15 different indigenous vegetables have been reclaimed and are being used in a local food-based health strategy; and 3 councils of elders have been revived and strengthened and are participating in inter-generational dialogues with youth. One of the beneficiaries of this project is Mr. Munguti Kabibia. He is the custodian of Kivaa hill sacred site and forest in Eastern Kenya. During one of the inter-generational dialogues in a sacred site, he had the following to say to the young people he was training on indigenous forest conservation laws: “Every forest ecosystem is designed to provide for all living beings in it. We should remember that when we destroy sacred sites, they have a way of protecting themselves, which most of you may not know. Sometimes they hit back, really hard. You could be educated in the formal system of education, but destroying a sacred site like this one means you are ignorant in the ways of our forefathers, and that is why we are here in this “classroom” today – so that you can understand the laws of nature and respect them”.

I want to thank all who have contributed towards this amazing work and invite more to come on board. Finally, I would like your feedback on this project: what do you think of it? How do you think we can bring more people on board to support it?