Last week, 50 HIV/AIDS orphans from communities neighbouring Ol Pejeta Conservancy were presented with new school uniforms.

The uniforms were bought with proceeds donated to Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s community outreach programmes by The Nanyuki Rally Group, organisers of the KCB Mavuno Loan Rally. The Rally Group donated Kshs 50,000 in a gesture of goodwill and appreciation to Ol Pejeta for hosting the rally in July last year. The rally was held on a section of Ol Pejeta set aside for commercial wheat farming and has since been voted the best organised rally in the 2007 National Championships.

The school uniforms were presented to the children in a small ceremony presided over by Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s Community Outreach Programmes Manager, Paul Leringato, and managers of the commercial wheat operation, Laurie and Sarah Sessions.

The balance of the funds received from the Nanyuki Rally Group has been earmarked for agricultural extension projects, which assist local community farmers.

Donation of school uniforms and learning materials – such as books, laboratory items and computers – is one of Ol Pejeta’s key community education initiatives. In addition, Ol Pejeta has established a bursary scheme for disadvantaged children, including HIV/AIDS orphans.

Guardians of the orphans who benefited said they were very grateful to Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Laurie and Sarah Sessions for the efforts they had been making towards community development in the area.