The story of 2021
The story of Hope | Rhino Hide & Bounce-back-ability
The world has learnt tough lessons in 2021, and we were not exempt, but we remain proud of what we have achieved although we are not out of the woods yet! Out of the woods, how apt! We have listened to world leaders at COP26 make groundbreaking statements on climate change and this year we have been plagued with locust swarms, drought (witnessing livestock and wildlife decimation), until finally the rains came late and sporadic. We need to do something, and we all agree that unless we change the trajectory that we are on, the world is in trouble. It takes effort, it takes commitment, and it takes courage – Tofauti is keen to play a small part in these next steps.
The Earthshot prize led by Prince William has identified innovative ways which could bring about game changing methods to revive the planet's recovery. Earthshot’s inspiring approach of collaboration and sharing of information needs to be embraced by us all.
Experience has taught us that we cannot take the natural world for granted. Mother Nature has displayed huge resilience and now has bitten us back, her rhino hide has been punctured and her softer inner layers have continued to be exploited. Rhinos, the casual browsers of the African Savannah, with a thick protective coarse skin cover so that when brushing against the thorny undergrowth they are robust enough to not get perforated. But even they have a delicate underbelly, even they have a soft interior that can be exposed, and we need to continue to protect them with all that we have. Let us join hands and do the same for ‘her’.
We have got this, we can do this, with togetherness and bounce back ability.
We thank you for your support alongside us on this journey!
A message from Crista
I would like to start with a vote of thanks, as we conclude this exciting yet challenging journey of 2021. Our team has grown with three newly appointed Trustees and with that our endeavour to be more impactful and effective will be increased. Nothing worth doing in life is easy and while the challenging times continue we are more determined than ever to keep pushing for results. 2021 has delivered much of the same as 2020 left us, however I am proud of the projects and fundraiser that Tofauti has managed to do and also thank you for the part you played!
Conservation and rural community coexistence have to go hand in hand, as one cannot live without the other. Communities living in wilderness areas have to experience a benefit from wildlife and it is our job to assist this process. Due to ongoing reduced tourism numbers to the continent, there has been a huge effect on livelihoods and ability to continue all of the conservation efforts that had been in place prior to the pandemic. Whilst we are disappointed that this is the case, we have done what we can to help and will continue to do so as we enter 2022.
This year we have continued on the successes with the 10% fence plan with Tsavo Trust. We have partnered with the Exodus Foundation and between us we have now installed eight fences around community owned land which border Tsavo East National Park. We have gathered groundbreaking data and seen a dramatic decrease in human/wildlife conflict and positive increases in crop yield for the local farmers.
The Sand Dam in Naibunga Conservancy is now complete and it is filling up with layers of sand and sediment from the recent rains. This is super encouraging considering the normal maturity timespan is three to four years. The Roan antelope species which were 12 in number have now reached 17 in the safe zone in Ruma National Park where our strategic partnership was instrumental for their ultimate survival in Kenya. We also ran a TogetherForWater online fundraising initiative which was well received and supported by the corporate sector, sports teams and individuals within our network which we are hugely grateful for, raising £11,500 for a worthy water cause to be identified in the new year.
Plans are afoot for 2022, as there is so much to do - please continue to reach out, join us and support us as we push boundaries in our quest to approach things in our unique way to make a difference.
Crista Cullen MBE | Founder
Why we’re here
Our objective
We’re here to bring people together to make a difference for Africa’s wildlife and communities.
Our guiding principle
We think the best way we can help is by building resilience, not reliance, among Africa’s people and wildlife. We think the only way to a lasting solution is to make them part of the solution. So, we do this by building teams of passionate supporters, expert partners and local people who together can make a difference.
Review of 2021 projects
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Project objectives:
Continue to monitor and support the initiative with the water troughs and Roan monitoring project for rehabilitation of numbers.Project costs:
£10,703Status: Complete
Project update:
The Roan numbers had been reduced in Kenya down to 12 in number – we have now managed to bolster this to 17 just over a 40% increase in the space of a year. Plans are afoot to try and reintroduce a new genetic pool of animals from neighbouring countries and this will support the genetic bottleneck that we currently have in the country. -
Project objectives:
To promote co-existence between wildlife and community members of Kamungi Conservancy as well as promote food security and improve livelihoods through partnership with Tsavo Trust for our 10% Fence Plan Phase 2.Project costs:
£23,070Status: Complete
Project update:
To build on the pilot project completed in 2020, Tofauti embarked on a further 5 sites this year which were completed in November 2021. This was done in partnership with Tsavo Trust and the Exodus Foundation, clearly Kamungi Conservancy had huge results and benefit felt by the local community and the demand for further sites was requested. Phase one was the construct of the fences, and phase 2 was the permaculture/ agricultural support for the community to be able to till, compost and gain greater yields from the land that was now protected by the fences. Further proof that with scale this project can be something that can cater for rural communities co-existing with wildlife species. -
The construction of a sand dam in the Naibunga Conservancy (Northern Rangelands Trust Conservancy) Kenya.
Project costs:
£30,044Status: Complete
Project update:
A huge achievement this year was concluding on the sand dam project in Naibunga Conservancy – northern Kenya. Pictures illustrated below. The funds were raised at the Tofauti Conservation Ball and the sand dam has already reached capacity for sand and sediment against the concrete wall in one rainy season, which is hugely encouraging. These remote locations suffer from desertification and large run off, so we hope to hold water for community, livestock and wildlife to be used when the harsher months follow next year. -
To provide machinery for execution of projects to help reach conservation and community objectives.
Project costs:
£25,000 (in 2017)Status: Complete
Project update:
The decision was taken in July 2021 to move the tractor from completing its tasks at Galana Wildlife Conservancy to support Tsavo Trust build an elephant proof fence to mitigate human/elephant conflict along a section of historical problems. The tractor provides support to transport people and fencing materials daily, until completion of the project.
Fundraising 2021
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Objective:
Get people active by doing something for them and in doing so something for others.Funds raised:
£11,500Status: Complete
Update:
Ran an event from the 5th September – 4th October 2021, accumulating the distances of running, walking, pushing, swimming, cycling from UK to Kenya. It was well received by teams, individuals and corporates and is an annual event building a community and getting people fitter and engaged, while raising money for a very worthy cause. Look out for the next one in 2022.
Our work
This is what we want to achieve
A reduction in human-wildlife conflict
Better local access to environmental education
Protection of wildlife
Protection of natural habitats
This is where we want to do it
Primarily in Kenya, as this is where we have our heritage and the strongest connections. However, we are ambitious and are looking to have an Africa-wide portfolio. We are currently evaluating projects in other African countries.
This is how we are going to do it
Human-wildlife coexistence
We believe that working with the local people is the only way to help them and animals find ways to coexist and thrive together.
Environmental education
We support the local people by helping them to sustain a way of life that leverages rather than compromises their relationship with the natural world they live in.
Wildlife protection
At the heart of Tofauti’s DNA is the protection of wildlife. We appreciate that every area faces its own challenges and we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Each geographical area is unique and complex, so we look to use partner expertise in order to create bespoke, long-term solutions.
Infrastructure and habitat
To protect wildlife there is a need for scout accommodation, road maintenance, electric fencing and crucial wildlife corridors is paramount. We work with trusted partners on-the-ground to ensure that these essential structures are put in place.
Looking ahead
As previously identified 2021 has continued to be the turbulent year that 2020 was for everyone, but our sentiments and ambitious nature remains. We have built a strong platform and with our bigger team we are able to put those vital pennies to better use. Sensitivity and understanding will continue to be key until the future is more apparent. Tofauti is by no means a finished product: we too need to hone our skills, experiences and expertise in order to put our efforts into utilising our team and contacts as best we can. We are looking for 2022 to be a year of change, to be a year where Tofauti becomes independent as a charitable operation without the support from Hoares (for which we are very grateful) and to push to bigger and more developed partnerships.
Funding
We started 2021 in a healthy financial position, we ran a humble yet successful TogetherForWater campaign, but it goes without saying that fundraising is not an easy task with so many worthy causes chasing reducing funds. That said, we have been diligent and continued to reduced our spend and project engagement to cater for a longer period of reduced capital input. We are unable to plan too far ahead but continue to explore more innovative ways of trying to get a solid longer term funding base and our TogetherForWater initiative is proof of this in 2021. Having multiple tentacles in this area is important for Tofauti’s survival trying to mitigate the risks of changing donor priorities and wider financial uncertainties going forward – we continue to endeavour to grow in this area.
Projects
Continuing to have a strong project pipeline, helped by our clearly defined project funding criteria and rigorous application review process is key to our ambitions. We had a goal of completing five projects in 2021, and we managed to complete four substantial projects and one fundraising event. We continue our quest for an Oceanic project that will reduce the harvesting from the fish and other crustacean stocks in the wild oceans for consumption. Finding good and aligned partners for longer term engagements is key and we continue to develop and strengthen these relationships so as to make sure that the impact is truly felt on the ground in the places we choose to do our projects.
Investment
Clearly from the report outlined we continue to fight for what we believe in, underpinned by our African heritage and fundamental appreciation of how things are done here on the continent. We want to do more, and know that having innovative ways of thinking, low overheads, and an ability to be flexible puts us in good stead for what challenges we will be faced with. Self-reflection is key, but in a time of execution and endeavour we would like to continue to put all our efforts and investments into where we believe the need is most.
Thanks
‘In a few decades, the relationship between the environment, resources and conflict may seem almost as obvious as the connection we see today between human rights, democracy and peace.’ Nobel Peace Prize award speech for Wangari Maathai, 2004.
Our relationship with Mother Nature is changing, we need to be conscious humans and develop a better holistic understanding of where we have fallen short and how we go about putting it right. The time is now. Tofauti recognises that without nature we do not exist and we have been built on the premise of being a resilient team.
Thank you for your unwavering support, in whatever capacity that may take. Thank you for believing in us. We are fighting for what we believe will be the difference, alongside and for you.