The teams at Hemingways Nairobi and Hemingways Ol Seki Mara have joined forces with communities across Kenya to help protect the people and wildlife that are suffering due to the abrupt loss of tourism due to COVID-19.
The launch of The Mara Naboisho Conservancy COVID-19 Emergency Appeal last week aimed at raising funds to help save the Mara Naibosho Conservancy.
The Hemingways Collection supports The Watamu Community Food Programme and The Mara Naibosho Conservancy Crowdfunding Campaigns.
The teams are supporting staff and continue on-site maintenance while being temporarily closed until May end.
The Mara Naboisho Conservancy COVID-19 Emergency Appeal is raising funds to help save the Mara Naibosho Conservancy. For every guest that visits Hemingways Ol Seki Mara, 40% of what they pay goes directly to conservation in the Mara Naibosho, providing land-lease fees to 613 Maasai families and salaries for 40 wildlife rangers. The Mara Naboisho Conservancy provides a financial lifeline for families and a safe haven for wildlife like cheetah, lion, leopard and elephants. The success of the Conservancy now faces its greatest threat, and without this vital funding from responsible tourism the model falls apart.
The survival of these communities is absolutely critical and as one of very few tourism partners in this beautiful conservancy, The Hemingways Collection has committed long term support to its survival. They are asking past and future guests, as well as friends and supporters, to come together to help support and save the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, not least by spreading the word about this Emergency Appeal. This campaign is organised by Basecamp Explorer Foundation Norway.
Hemingways Watamu has pulled together with the Watamu Association, Watamu Marine Association, Watamu Against Crime, several other hotels and a number of individuals to fundraise for food purchases to help the local community through the Watamu COVID-19 Food Programme. Working with four local community groups to identify the neediest, donations from past or future guests, will help feed the community, and ensure everyone gets to eat.
The programme is working with government agencies and the Red Cross to ensure complimentary services are provided and comply with legal requirements.