For more than a decade, Kawangware Lekwanja has dedicated her life to conservation in Kalama Conservancy. A resident of Naandadapo village, she began serving as a Grevy’s Zebra Scout in 2015, becoming one of the women on the frontlines protecting the endangered Grevy’s zebra.
Her work is demanding, involves long patrols across vast landscapes to monitor wildlife movements, record sightings, and help safeguard critical habitats. Through these efforts, Scouts like Kawangware play a vital role in protecting Grevy’s zebra from threats and ensuring accurate data is collected to guide conservation decisions.
Kawangware is a widow and the sole provider for her six children. The income she earns as a Grevy’s Zebra Scout sustains her household. It puts food on the table, pays school fees, and enables her to restock livestock, strengthening her family’s financial stability and resilience. Conservation has given her not just employment, but dignity, independence, and the ability to secure her children’s future.
When she began her work, monitoring was done using traditional methods. For years, she relied on field knowledge, observation skills, and manual reporting. Her understanding of the terrain and wildlife grew through hands-on experience.
In 2023, the introduction of the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) marked a significant shift. The digital system improved the accuracy and efficiency of wildlife tracking, strengthening overall conservation outcomes. However, adapting to the new technology was not easy for someone who had worked with paper and pen only for many years.
Like many transitions, it came with challenges. Her performance was initially affected as she adjusted to the new system, but Kawangware did not allow the obstacle to define her. She sought support from the GZT team and fellow Scouts, asked questions, and committed herself to learning. Gradually, she gained confidence in using the digital tool.
During the recent Scout Annual Workshop Feedback Session in Laresoro, her improvement stood out. The session, which promotes transparency and accountability between the Scouts and the community, highlighted her growth and renewed strength in her role.
Today, Kawangware represents how conservation investment not only protects Grevy’s zebra and their habitat, but also empowers local families. By employing community members, conservation initiatives create economic stability, strengthen households, and build resilience in pastoral communities.
Through her work and determination, endangered wildlife is protected, her six children are educated and fed, and her family’s future is bright.
