THE 10% FENCE PLAN
A project in conjunction with Tsavo Trust in Kenya

Background

In conservation, the people are fundamental to the wellbeing of the animals that surround them. This initiative supports the communities that are constantly fighting the animals who search for water and crops and livestock to eat.  It is explained to the community that because of the animals, this safety provision is being made available and so once 10% of their land is fenced their home, ‘shamba’ (vegetable patch in Swahili) and all livestock must be in that area for protection at night. The remaining land (90%), must be left fallow so that wildlife can graze and have cover, as well as roam lands as  they have done for generations before the human population expanded into their habitat.

Find out more about joining or starting a ‘10% fence plan’ fund raising syndicate team.

Project Progress

Tofauti is proud to report that we have installed three electrified fences on three different community owned parcels of land.

 1. 1-acre area for a 10-acre parcel of land

2. 8-acre area for an 80-acre parcel of land 

3.  9-acre area for a 90-acre parcel of land

As Tsavo Trust has operated in this area for over 6 years, we have collated historical data of the human: wildlife conflict cases, and therefore will directly compare incidence of attacks pre and post the fence installations. Please look out for updates that will follow in due course.

Team Tofauti’s Visit on Site

This project has been a priority for Tofauti, so we were very excited to see the fences for ourselves and get the feedback from the ground. We pulled up to a secluded homestead along the border of the Tsvao East National Park, an area renowned for its huge expanse and its large elephant numbers. This old man, well into his seventies, with eyes deep set into his head and weathered skin from working the land, emerged gingerly from his little mud hut. His vision was poor, and he needed support having recently suffered a stroke. He was what we call respectfully here in Kenya a Mzee (old man). 

I stood with Richard Moller, the CEO of the Tsavo Trust as he explained in fluent Swahili that Tofauti had been involved in the provision of the fence for his plot of land. At which point this toothless smile rose across his face, and I was filled with pride as he launched forward to embrace me. Covid-19 suddenly felt miles away, as sheer gratitude from a man who had seen it all, was fully expressed. He explained that I would never understand the change that this had made to his life. A short story followed, and more warm hospitality. A humbling experience from someone who literally has nothing apart from his livestock!

He explained that very morning, he had woken early to the shrieks of his goats which was a  warning sound that they were in danger. He had grabbed his flash light, to go and see what the commotion was about and saw that the resident leopard was on the approach. He waited and watched a small distance away while the leopard assessed how he would get over the newly installed fence. With great pride in his new infrastructure, he explained how he watched the beautiful, but potentially lethal, animal walk along the fence line, unable to penetrate the boundary and potentially attack his livestock. Something which previously had never been possible. 

This short and very real story illustrates the impact that the monies we have raised has on the lives of both humans and wildlife. This is what we do it for. 

So, our gratitude is to you all, our partners, friends and donors. Your support has enabled us to make a difference, and we hope that this concept can be adopted around other parts of the African continent once we collate the impact that it truly has. This is a story of one Mzee, we believe it can have such a positive impact on so many more. 

Together we make Tofauti.