SokweAsilia Group – Involvement in charities/community development
Direct involvement of SokweAsilia Group
• First of all, SokweAsilia prides itself in running lodges and camps at high standards of sustainable tourism. This means amongst others that:
o No tropical hardwood is used in the construction of lodge/camp
o Locally available materials are used as much as possible in the construction of the lodges/camps; this to support local economies and to limit damage to the environment from large scale transportation of construction materials
o All lodges/camps use water in a very responsible manner. Especially in the areas of greatest scarcity of water (Tarangire NP, Serengeti eco-system), water consumption is limited as much as possible, whilst the client comfort is not jeopardized
• Matemwe Bungalows has invested a significant part of its profit in the neighboring fishermen village Kigomani for the past 16 years. In the course of these 16 years, Matemwe Bungalows has had a great contribution to sponsoring education, the construction of the local school and library, scholarships for students as well as infrastructural projects (water and electricity supply, road access)
• From Sayari and Olakira Camp’s revenues, US$ 20 per bednight go to surrounding communities (Wakuria communities when the camp is located at the Mara River, Maasai communities when the camp is located at Piaya / Soit Sambu) These donations aim at self-help projects such as their own tourism camp/site (Wakuria) and/or educational measures (Maasai)
• Sokwe’s fully mobile camps contribute a similar amount per bednight for community development to the areas in which the camps typically operate (Ololosokuan and Piyaya villages in Loliondo area)
• Oliver’s Camp supports the Terat project which aims at protecting wildlife in the Simanjiro area just outside of Tarangire National Park (anti-Poaching as well as protection of natural habitat)
Indirect involvement of individuals of the SokweAsilia Group
• Asilia founders Jeroen and Bas and colleagues Henry and Jane play leading roles as volunteers in Kamitei Foundation (see www.kamitei.org), a foundation that runs education improvement initiatives in small communities in the Arusha area (see attached). The Group sponsors Kamitei through camping fees in Esilalei
• Sokwe founder Damian and his wife Sally play leading roles as volunteers in Maajabu (see www.maajabu.org), a small foundation that uses film to show people in rural areas in Tanzania the wonders of the natural world, the environmental issues we face and some of the ways in which we can help to solve these (reached over 25,000 people to date -). The Group sponsors Maajabu through Asilia and Sokwe
• In 2000, Jeroen recorded a CD with traditional music of the Maasai was in cooperation with the Ereto Maasai Women Group (see: www.maasai-music.org). The music recordings from July 2000 are on the CD: Maigisa: Songs of the Maasai”, The recording of the traditional Maasai music is a non-profit project.: the proceeds of the CD are invested in small grass-roots projects which are aimed at supporting the Maasai community whilst preserving its unique culture
