Reforestation and tree nursery
Volunteers join the activities at a tree nursery, cultivating native tree species to be planted around Kilimanjaro. Seeing how quickly the little trees grow and how they are used to fill the gaps caused by man, recreating green nature space is a very rewarding task.
Big planting projects are usually during the rainy seasons (March-June and October-December), but at places with natural water resources, planting is done throughout the year. Seedlings are additionally distributed free of charge to the local population during the rainy seasons.
Energy efficient cooking demo park
At the camp we have a collection of energy efficient and renewable technologies for cooking. The demo park is open for school classes and other visitors who want to get a demonstration of the technologies.
The technologies include different types of solar cookers, the production of pellets from organic waste materials to be used with energy-efficient stoves, and the bottling of biogas. The idea is to introduce the local population to sustainable cooking methods in order to reduce the amount of firewood and charcoal needed. We also run an income-generating program for villagers to produce pellets for their own use and sale.
Environmental Education at schools
After an introduction and orientation, volunteers assist with and carry out environmental workshops at primary and secondary school and village community centres.
For children, this is done in a playful way and topics include the tropical rainforest ecosystem, the water cycle, the effects of deforestation, waste, and the biodiversity of the Kilimanjaro region.
For youth and adults, sustainable methods of income-generation are taught including fish farming, handicraft production for the tourism industry, and stingless beekeeping for honey production.
Community Work
Community work includes activities from which the whole village of Mweka benefits, such as supporting coffee and banana farmers during harvest season, construction and renovation of schools and dispensaries, arrangements of festivities etc.
Once per week there is a meeting between community members and the volunteers at the camp to discuss the community’s current needs.
College of African Wildlife Management
The College of African Wildlife Management in Mweka is the only training institute of higher education offering BA and postgraduate degrees in Wildlife Management in Tanzania. It is also one of the most prestigious ones in the whole of Africa, attracting many international students.
Participants of the World Unite! Kilimanjaro Environmental Conservation Camp have the chance to attend one lecture about topics related to African wildlife per week at the college at no extra cost.
Volunteers are also regularly joining activities done by the student clubs of the college.
