Tourism, conservation, and community-based ecotourism are one of the key drivers of Kenya’s economy, TIWCF is introducing a resourceful community Empowerment Program (CEP) that underscores its mission to conserve the national parks and wildlife reserve. The Community Program aims to implement activities that will improve the income of the communities living aound the parks.
The planned activites under the CEP include handicrafts making (basket weaving, and jewelry), dance and drumming lessons for entertainmeny groups, reclcing of plastics and waste, agricultural tours and community guided hikes. The target group is mostly parents of the schools already supported by TIWCF with priority given to women around the national parks of Kenya. This will be achieved through partnerships with the locals in the park communities, Kenya Wildlife Authority (KWA), conservationists, as well as interested tourists visiting the region.
TIWCF will organize the women into associations and will be marketing their products locally and abroud. All this is aimed at boosting the local economy while combating illegal activities like poaching in the neighboring national parks and wildlife reserves. Consequently, the conservation of the national parks for the present and future generations will be quaranteeed.