Benefits of nurturing leadership in Kenyan youth
Written by Gloria Kosgey
At the core of the Conservation Leadership Program (CLP) lies KWT’s commitment to harnessing the untapped leadership potential of the scholarship beneficiaries.
Within just two years of implementing CLP’s Leadership and Mentorship training camp initiative, we have witnessed tangible results. Our annual workshops focus on collaborating with strategic partners to improve each beneficiary’s leadership, communication, and study skills, workplace readiness, and career prospects, ultimately fostering individual holistic success and ensuring they attain their full potential and life aspirations.
By creating this expert-guided and supportive environment, we have achieved exceptional outcomes: not one but four of our beneficiaries were elected to the student council at the Wildlife Research Training Institute.
Jonah Lelanga from Samburu as treasurer, Christopher Saruni from Amboseli as gender representative, James Lalampa from Samburu as wildlife management representative, and Isaiah Parmuya from Amboseli as resident representative are now working collaboratively with other student council members to positively impact their school community.
So, what exactly is CLP’s Mentorship and Leadership Camp doing to achieve these results?
Here are three ways our camps are nurturing leaders:
1. Leadership communication
Educating and inspiring others to progress toward a specific goal is a valuable skill possessed by a thought leader. While this might come naturally to a small percentage of the population, most people require effort to cultivate it. That’s why investing in training that enhances leadership and effective communication is essential.
Through KWT’s annual workshops, participants gain practical experience through role-playing and interactive exercises, enabling them to apply their newfound knowledge. Here, they are equipped with techniques to overcome public speaking anxiety and deliver compelling speeches or presentations.
2. Green Project
Proactively promoting a willingness to engage in dialogue and encourage public support is another indispensable leadership skill. Through KWT’s annual workshops, participants receive practical intervention ideas for expanding their Green Project efforts. This beneficiary-led Green Project initiative, focused on habitat reforestation for buffaloes, employs awareness creation and advocacy to mitigate buffalo habitat loss at the Wildlife Research Training Institute.
“My main role is to organize and coordinate wildlife conservation activities in the school. My agenda is to push for student involvement in national census surveys undertaken by the Institute. I have seen from working on the green projects just how beneficial experiential learning is. I came to realize my strengths and sharpen my skills through it not to mention the confidence boost it provided. I wish the same for everyone else and I know through advocating for this, many others will also benefit.”
3. Digital storytelling for conservation
The current cohort participating in the program is considered the ‘online generation.’ This means their peers are just a click away from sharing and discussing inspirational conservation content. This year, KWT’s annual workshop introduced a Digital Storytelling session led by Felixie Kipng’etich, a 2023 PrideLands Wildlife Film Festival award-winning filmmaker.
The session focused on training participants on the use of digital storytelling as a teaching tool through the creation and sharing of impactful online stories. It also explored how digital storytelling can be used as a data collection method and a tool for communicating research findings related to Green Projects.
“I was so glad to be elected by my peers to represent them. I think it’s how I interacted with them. I learned how to live cohesively and effectively communicate with others through the mentorship camps. Alongside this was learning how to create a budget for our Green Project.
And, now, as the school council treasurer, I am employing all these and many more tips I received from the training. I am excited to see the doors of opportunity this will open. I will push for the purchase of cameras to allow the team to film the various activities it executes.”
In just two years, the mental, physical, and psychological growth of our beneficiaries is evident. We believe that changing how leaders are trained could just be the answer to accelerating the call to action for the conservation of Kenya’s key ecosystems.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our donors for partnering with us on this endeavor. As the beneficiaries continue to apply their knowledge and passion in the service of conservation, the impact of the camp will extend far beyond its duration, contributing to a more sustainable and harmonious coexistence between humans and the natural world.
We congratulate our beneficiaries elected into the WRTI 2024-2025 Student Council and the entire team at large.
KWT believes in you; wholeheartedly.
Be part of this movement and support us. With your heartily giving, you are not only supporting the nurturing of a sustainable future for wildlife, but you’re also becoming a vital part of a national youth empowerment initiative.
Support our mission with your donation.
