By MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – CONSERVATION and related education projects in the continent have gained new impetus after the Ford Motor Company provided of US$20 000 (USD) grants to leading environmental organisations.
The company has donated $10 000 to the Africa Foundation to empower its environmental education programme in Tanzania and Mozambique, while also assisting the eradication of alien vegetation for Black Rhino relocation in the former.
A further $10 000 has been granted to the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT), located in the heart of Kenya’s Greater Amboseli-Tsavo Ecosystem, to help engage with the local Maasai community to conserve critical wildlife and wilderness, and assist with wildlife species monitoring.
Neale Hill, Director of Marketing Sales and Service, Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa, said The Africa Foundation and the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust were doing exceptional work to help preserve Africa’s precious natural resources and eco-diversity.
“Ford Motor Company is proud to be associated with these non-profit organisations,” Hill said.
The Africa Foundation, which features Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah as its patrons, works in numerous sub-Saharan Africa countries and focuses on the environment, conservation, clean water, health and education, and bringing meaningful development to the people living in or close to conservation areas.
Operating in the Chyulu Hills landscape, in the heart of Kenya’s Greater Amboseli-Tsavo Ecosystem, MWCT has partnered with the Maasai landowners since 2000 to demonstrate the benefits from conservation.
The area boasts a rich natural heritage, with elephant, rhino, wild dog,giraffe and lion located in this region, and use it as a critical migration route between the national parks.
– CAJ News