WILD WALK FOR DISABILITY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Work in progress at the Restoration Orphanage whose dilapidated structures would be rehabilitated by proceeds from "Walk in the Wild" by Dear Diary Initiatives. The trekkers are slated to walk 85km from Mackinnon Road on the border of Kwale and Taita Taveta ‎counties starting from October 15, 2016 to end at the famous Galana Crocodile Camp at the gates of Tsavo East National Park. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

By MOHAMED AHMED

At least 50 people are expected to embark on a four day charity walk starting Saturday morning, to raise awareness on disability issues and wildlife conservation.

Dubbed “Walk in the Wild’’, the participants will start their trek at 6am from Mackinnon Road on the border between Kwale and Taita Taveta counties at the holy Durga, and complete the walk at the famous Galana Crocodile Camp, in Kilifi County.

The 85km trek will end at the tented Camp popular for crocodiles and elephants watching, which is located at the gates of the Tsavo East National Park at the shores of the Galana River, on October 19.

Ms Nafisa Khanbhai of Dear Diary Initiatives Kenya — the brain child of the project — says organisers hope to create community awareness on the rights and needs of those with disabilities as well as the need for wildlife conversation.

Ms Khanbhai said the proceeds for the walk, which will see participants trek for 22km daily, would go towards rehabilitation of the Restoration Orphanage in Kaloleni, Kilifi.

“They will be making stops for team building while the Kenya Wildlife Society rangers will be at hand to talk to them about wildlife conservation and challenges facing our national parks,’’ Ms Khanbhai added.

She appealed to communities along the trekkers path to “motivate’’ them by cheering them on their four day walk as well as support rehabilitate the centre which houses 36 orphans.

“Our mission is to empower people with disabilities to be self-sufficient and less dependent on others. And now we have seen the need to help the orphans so that they can feel part of the community they are in,” the chairperson said.

For years now, Taita Taveta has been battling issues of human and wildlife conflict, with both the national and county government raising efforts of dealing with the thorny issue.

SOURCE: NATION