Governors' Camp Responsible Tourism Programs set an example for us all.
We're proud of the remarkable achievements Governors' Camp and clients continue to have in east Africa. Working closely with local communities, they have generated positive change continuously for more than 35 years. Governors' Il Moran was a finalist in The Green Spaces Awards 2008
Notable Programs
The accomplishments Governors' Camp together with its clients have made throughout years of dedicated support include multiple classrooms, facilities improvements, teaching materials, student scholarships, book donations as well as teachers' salaries. Forward-thinking programs such as solar lighting, rainwater systems and other progressive green initiatives are positively impacting the lives of people in the entire community.
The Mara Rianda Charitable Trust was instrumental partner in bringing positive change to life. Together with Governors' Camp, plans are in-the-works to further support other local educational establishments including additional primary and secondary schools.
Aris Grammaticas, Managing Director of Musiara Ltd, Governors' Camp, jump-started the efforts to assist a primitive school by equipping two classrooms with desks and blackboards and started a fund for orphans.
Eye disease is regrettably an affliction that is common in Masai communities. Often, it can lead to poor vision, and sometimes complete blindness. Governors' Camp sponsored a six-month campaign recently to provide eye surgery hundreds of patients. Amazingly, 33 people who had previously been blind, successfully had their eyesight restored!
Demand for firewood is a growing concern in African communities. Fragile woodlands are threatened. It is particularly a problem for women, who spend precious time searching for firewood. Governors' Camp has pioneered efforts to address this challenge focused on the use of biogas as a renewable source of energy. Multiple benefits for both communities and the environment are the result.
Two bio-gas plants were implemented in a traditional Masai homestead village, Manyatta. The project freed up time for women to do more productive work. The pressure on local woodlands and ecosystems was reduced. Additionally, the number of flies has decreased, and along with it, the number of diseases and infections has gone down significantly. The use of biogas as a cooking fuel has also helped reduce the smoke in Masai homes. Respiratory and eye disease has lessoned greatly.
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is a world-class lodge that was conceived, built and operated by Governors' Camp. In partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation (“AWF”) and its partner in Rwanda, the International Gorilla Conservation Program (“IGCP”), it was decided that ownership of the lodge would rest with a Community Trust to be set up specifically to receive rental and other income from the lodge, and to use that income to drive socio-economic development and conservation initiatives in the Kinigi area, which is adjacent to the Parc National des Volcans in North Western Rwanda.
Governors’ Tree Planting Project
Elephants are constantly searching for food, and in the process, the knock down trees. Worse, they often strip and eat a few branches of vegetation, leaving the rest of the tree to die. Since 1998, Governors' Camp has embarked upon a program to plant an average of 45 trees per month. Over 5400 trees have been planted to date. Only indigenous trees to Kenya have been planted.
From its inception, Governors' camp has supported this charity. The Trust was established in 1995 with the sole purpose of rehabilitating children who came from impoverished backgrounds who had drifted to the streets. Logistical support, apprenticeship training, through to fostering job opportunities and long term employment.
