During the World Wildlife Day 2020, Uvumbuzi Africa, Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, Kenya Wildlife Trust and Light Art Club organized a youth-led campaign, #WildAboutLife. The aim of the campaign was to sensitise and expose the urban youth who rarely spend time in natural environments to nature and conservation issues.

Through a social media competition, young photographers and videographers were selected to experience sampled destinations including Selenkay Conservancy in Amboseli. The winners got an opportunity to experience nature in its best and intermingle with the communities living adjacent to the conservancy that shares the same ecosystem with Amboseli National Park.

“It’s been a surreal experience interacting with the local Maasai people and wildlife in their natural habitats,” one of the winners said.

The winners of the #WildAboutLife campaign organized in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA), Kenya Wildlife Trust (KWT) and Light Art Club to showcase Kenya’s biodiversity and give the youth an opportunity to experience the beauty of Kenya’s wild were treated to the magnificence of the Il Ngwesi Community Conservancy in Laikipia County.

Hosted at the Il Ngwesi Eco Lodge, the winners were excited to wake up to the sounds of the chirping birds, beautiful sunrise and an indescribably wonderful landscape.

“It is a whole different life and new experience compared to Nairobi’s concrete jungle, pollution, traffic, and noise,” said Rosen Ian.

Morning walks and game drives across the conservancy’s pristine landscape fascinated and inspired the young photographers and videographers who’ve spent most of their time in Nairobi further.

“It is a scene you can’t really put into words unless it is recorded or you see it yourself,” Kamau said

The team had an opportunity to interact with the local community and could not hide their joy.

“Il Ngwesi is the place to be,” Andrew concluded.

Christine Kopiyo, the first winner of the #WildAboutLife campaign contest organized in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA), Kenya Wildlife Trust (KWT) and Light Art Club to give the youth an opportunity to experience the beauty of Kenya’s wild, chose to expose her daughter to the magnificence and importance of the natural world at Mara Naboisho Conservancy. This, she said, is in line with her effort to mentor the lively young girl to grow into a citizen who values, appreciates and promotes protection of nature.

“This Nairobi gives her a smaller view of what goes on in the natural world,” said Christine.

Hopefully, Christine’s daughter will share her experience with her peers and inspire them to be actively involved in conservation as well.

The youth-led campaign, #WildAboutLife, organized by Uvumbuzi Africa, Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, Kenya Wildlife Trust and Light Art Club during the World Wildlife Day 2020 to expose the urban youth to nature and conservation issues saw some of the young photographers and videographers like Samantha Nyakoe visit the Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary in Naivasha where she experienced firsthand the benefits of wildlife protection.

Samantha, an online influencer, promotes sustainable fashion consumption by buying secondhand clothes and only shopping from environmentally friendly companies. Samantha promised to use her influence on social media to advocate for conservation and mobilise the youth to engage in conservation. She vowed to continue leading sustainable life.

“You can be environmentally friendly and still fashionable,” she said.