Wilderness has been officially running its Children in the Wilderness (CITW) programme in the Tanzanian communities around Serengeti and Lake Manyara national parks since early 2024.
Despite being situated next to one of the most famous national parks in the world, these communities are some of the poorest, with little in the way of infrastructure or resources. While school children can see the Serengeti from their classroom windows, the walls are crumbling around them, and elephants invade their parents’ maize fields.
Led by indefatigable Community Project Co-ordinator Doctor Tipay, Wilderness’ Impact initiatives have already been far-reaching, particularly through CITW, and the Educate and Empower pillars of Wilderness’ strategy.
Highly trained Eco-Mentors now run Eco-Clubs at five schools, where among others, thriving reforestation and eco-garden projects have been established (actually since mid-2023), with the latter making a difference on a daily basis.
A few months ago, after a most appreciated and generous grant from Travel Elevates (the non-profit charitable arm of the global Signature Travel Network) to the ENHANCING EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE programme, Gwikongo Primary in the Serengeti region, and Manyara Secondary adjacent to Lake Manyara National Park were earmarked for classroom infrastructure repairs.
Indeed, Gwikongo’s classroom has now been refurbished – providing an inspiring and transformative space for more than 500 children, many of whom have moved from attending lessons in the elements outdoors, with a limited water- and electricity supply, to a brand-new structure with a full rainwater harvesting and water tank system, and other sustainability-focused infrastructure, while the electricity is now connected to the grid. The children’s school and environmental education lessons now take place indoors, in a classroom especially decorated to energise and motivate students and teachers alike.
The refurbishment at Manyara is expected to commence any day now, and will fully replicate the specifications at Gwikongo.
Wilderness’ move into Tanzania could not have come at a more opportune time for the communities where we operate, and we are exceptionally proud of Doctor for facilitating this life-changing grant and the subsequent repairs with the municipal council, school authorities and local government, to get the classrooms’ rehabilitation going.
Through this project, CITW Tanzania has effectively shown the value of tourism, and how there can be direct positives for communities embracing conservation and helping protect the parks and wildlife.
In Doctor’s own words, “At Gwikongo Primary School, we didn’t come in to make noise, we came to make a difference. From day one, the goal was simple: don’t over-promise, just do the work and let the results speak for themselves. And today, they do.
“Together we’ve completed a classroom that will serve over 500 children, giving them not just a space to learn, but a chance to dream bigger. Being on the ground throughout the process, side-by-side with local builders, teachers, government officials, and the community, it reminded me of what’s possible when everyone pulls in the same direction.
“When the mission – Empowering Africa’s future conservation leaders – becomes bigger than giving credit, amazing things happen.
“This is not just a building, it’s a sign of hope, a symbol of dignity. A message that says, even in the most remote parts of Africa, greatness can rise. And as we handed over the keys and heard the joy of the children filling the air, I knew we weren’t just finishing a project. We were witnessing the beginning of a new future”.
