Elephant Matriarchs - Perfect Role Models

Elephant matriarch project helps mothers claim their futures as matriarchs by preparing them for leadership and meaningful careers protecting africa's elephants

Support the Project Our Mission

The Story Behind the Project

In rural Kenya and throughout Africa, teenage pregnancy is rampant. This means loss of access to careers, income, and independence for the girls.

At the same time, every day numbers of majestic elephants of Africa face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

The Elephant Matriarch Project exists because these two problems share one solution.

A New Future For Matriarchs - Both Human and Elephant

Elephant Matriarch Project helps young matriarchs reclaim their futures through education, mentorship, and conservation training, so they can grow into the strong matriarchs they are meant to be. They will be enabled to participate in and lead the growing effort to save Africa's wildife.

Thus, in the village of Kajire, Kenya, on the edge of Tsavo National Park, two futures are being rewritten: students who once believed their education had ended are preparing for meaningful careers protecting Africa's elephants. Like the elephants they help to protect, they also become strong leaders and role models. And elephants experience a higher level of protection and respect from locals.

The mission of the Elephant Matriarch Project: is to enable a future where young mothers become both powerful matriarchs and local leaders fighting for their future and for those of the majestic elephants.

The Elephant Matriarch Learning Center

Our Learning Center is built and ready. We're now preparing to welcome our first class of students. This is where the work happens. We enable young mothers to continue their education, and in the process learn about careers protecting the elephants.

Wildlife experts and conservation professionals transfer their knowledge, skills and confidence needed for our students to become the next generation of environmental and community leaders.

Building Careers that Protect Elephants

Every student follows a path based on her unique strengths and interests in the conservation arena. Every path leads toward protecting elephants.

Graduates can become wildlife rangers who guide and protect elephants in the field. Or they will educate local communities, support conservation research, work as docents for tourists, all while advocating to protect wildlife.

By preparing matriarchs for meaningful careers, we're creating a growing network of active environmentalists helping to protect Africa's elephants.

A Strong Future For Women. A Strong Future For Elephants.

When mothers are given the oppprtunity to succeed, entire communities become stronger. When local communities lead conservation, elephants have an excellent chance to thrive.

The Founders

Georja Umano

When living in Kenya, American writer, animal activist, and teacher Georja Umano discovered the reality of many young rural girls’ education and lives being upended by unwanted pregnancy, while at the same time, the tragedy of elephants losing their lives and ancestral homes often due to ignorant local practices and lack of wildlife appreciation. One + One = New Possibilities for both. Original Founder of EMP

Read Georja's SPARK Magazine Feature

Roseline Mwake

Elephant lover, administrator and mother of three, Roseline Mwaka enlisted village elders- her grandparents- to donate land from their native village of Kajire for the site of first Elephant Matriarch School in Kenya. Her enthusiasm has led the way for the whole village to rejoice at their bright new project. Original Founder.

“Watching Africa’s largest mammals feeding peacefully in their natural habitat is a true privilege and a reminder of why we need to co-exist.”

Hari Rama

Together with his kind background as Director of Africa Child charity and also as a high-level government engineer, Hari Rama contributes calm leadership, undaunted by unexpected problems. He has established and guided the school building project with a small budget by enlisting local residents. Brilliant at his work, he also leads the installment of water and electrical systems where none existed before. Original Founder.

The Building Project

Amos Karbolo

Maasai warrior and community leader, esteemed former head teacher at the much awarded Mara Girls Leadership School and others, Amos Karbolo relishes reaching out to help more students become conservationists and uplifting the appreciation and status of elephants. Though he hails from the opposite corner of Kenya, he willingly makes the sacrifice of working outside his native area in order to help establish this new program. His love of animals has recently led him and his daughter to. become vegan for the animals.

Abdoulrahman Farouk

Abdoulrahman Farouk, a resident of Kajire, is a well-respected animal and environmental activist who often leads his community and shares his knowledge and skills to Elephant Matriarch Project. If elephants endanger themselves by going for the local crops, his work is paramount in leading them away, protecting both them and the villagers from harm. He also founded Pillar of Hope tn 2017 to address rural girls’ needs for school and sanitary supplies.

Jeff

Jeff Hoffman, former director at a high tech U.S. company, supports and offers technical advice in polishing this campaign. As a contributor and member of several humanitarian and animal projects that show deep respect for animals and the environment, he shares valuable opinions to help Elephant Matriarch Project move forward toward our goals --which he also believes are important for both rural mothers and elephants to thrive.

Joseph

Joseph Manyalo, recently retired as Officer of Kenya Wildlife Serfvice where he was both a ranger and a driver. He spent his career protecting Kenya’s wildlife and co-serving the county’s natural heritage. He has generously shared water from his new bore hole with Elephant Matriarch Project which benefits both the school attendees and the local villagers. He has even helped connect the pipes and tank that are necessary.