The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust continues to support marginalised communities and schools in the Tsavo Conservation Area. Through our daily school lunch programme, which was established at the end of 2021, we provide supplies of rice, maize, beans and oil to eight local schools. Not only does this program see positive effects in their attendance and performance but it also creates much goodwill in the communities and positive attitudes towards wildlife and conservation.

With support from the Chantecaille Conservation Foundation, we are able to provide significant further support to another 68 schools, whereby 15,000 children receive a daily supply of 'uji'; a local porridge made of maize, beans, nuts with added vitamins. Every month the SWT purchases, collects and transports a vast consignment of over 25,000kgs of porridge and delivers it by truck to these schools.

With school holidays in April, our special school field trips took place in May and June, during which time 599 students and 42 teachers were provided an opportunity to visit either Tsavo East or West National Park. These trips help to establish a positive connection between children and nature, which is critical for the long-term protection of wildlife. 10 trips incorporated a visit to the SWT's Voi Elephant Reintegration Unit in Tsavo East, where a dedicated team of Keepers care for rescued orphaned elephants, who are all slowly making the transition back to a wild and natural life in Tsavo East National Park.

The Trust continues to support 12 children, from local communities bordering the National Parks, through secondary education. These sponsored students are currently in form 3, term two (Kenyan system of education). These are children from impoverished families bordering the Tsavo Conservation Area, within the age range of 15-18yrs. The SWT pays their annual tuition fees, including a yearly boost for transport to and from their respective schools. The Trust also finances University level education for three aspiring young adults from local communities in Tsavo. These scholarships are all for university places in Kenya; one student is in their first year and two students are currently in their fourth years.