By Lenah Bosibori
Nairobi, Kenya: Kenyan not for profit groups on Wednesday donated food to over 600 households from the pastoral Maasai community reeling from economic shocks triggered by the COVID -19 pandemic.
The Maa Trust and Mara Elephant Project (MEP) facilitated deployment of the food rations donated by Sidekick Foundation, which promotes wildlife conservation in the world famous Mara game reserve.
“The Sidekick Foundation donated food items worth 1.79 million shillings(about 10,000 U.S dollars) that will support needy families for one month,” said Crystal Mogensen, Chief Executive Officer, Maa Trust.
“Once fully distributed, the food aid will boost nutrition status of 12,300 people in the Mara,” She added.
The rapid global spread of the COVID-19 virus has forced the temporary closure of The Maa Trust non-profit and its social enterprises Maa Bead work, Maa Honey, and its scholarship program.
This economic downturn due to COVID-19 means that the families engaged in The Maa Trust’s programmes have been left without a source of income.
Both The Maa Trust and MEP want to ensure communities are still benefiting from wildlife, even without tourism as MEP works closely with the communities to protect Kenya’s iconic elephants and the Mara ecosystem.
“It was very difficult closing The Maa Trust so as to abide by government regulations and keep both staff and organization beneficiaries safe. Nearly 19,000 people benefit through our various initiatives and so the cessation of all activities lies heavily on my conscience,” said Mogensen.
She said that having discussed the difficulty that the families are having in buying food with their partner Sidekick Foundation, partners agreed to provide food for the families who are unable to earn their regular income through their social enterprises because of the closure of the organization.
“I appreciate that 637 families are only a fraction of the deserving families in the Maasai Mara, however, this generous support will have a direct and powerful impact on thousands of people and for that, we are very grateful.” Said Mogensen.
