I always knew that I wanted to work in conservation, and that is why my studies had to involve some aspect of conservation and Wildlife Management. After completing my education, I was lucky enough to get an internship with Earthwatch, which eventually led me to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. I think of how young I was when I started out and sometimes I laugh to myself because I was so green- only 23- and yet to this day I have never thought of leaving! I am now the Conservancy’s Conservation and Wildlife Manager. I oversee the research and monitoring of all wildlife and their habitats on Lewa and the greater conservation area. I am also part of a team implementing the conservation education programme.
It is fun and exciting interacting with young learners who also want to be involved in conservation. One of the most amazing projects I have worked on so far was a team effort assisting Lewa to attain its UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2013 and the IUCN Green Listing the following year. Lewa is one of only two conservancies in Africa to receive this honourable designation. Words cannot explain how proud I was! But I do not want to give the impression that such things happen easily. There have been many challenges getting to this point. There were times when I thought that I would not be able to achieve half of the things I set out to do, such as reintroducing black rhinos to previously inhabited areas. I am a member of the African Rhino Specialist Group, and it makes me proud- it makes me strive to encourage young people who visit the conservancy to stick to their dreams no matter how hard the journey.
