Conservation and wellbeing
Support environmental conservation that also benefits people and local economies.
Community-led conservation · Established 2008
Restoring nature.
Strengthening livelihoods.
Working with communities to conserve forests, protect water sources and support sustainable livelihoods around the South West Maasai Mau Forest catchment.
Explore our work Support our projects150,000tree seedlings planted
26springs protected
30 hariparian land and woodlots
2008year established
Who we are
About SOCOFONA
Sogoo Community Forest and Nature Association (SOCOFONA) was established in 2008 in response to environmental and socio-economic challenges affecting local communities. The association works to conserve natural resources while improving community livelihoods.
Its project area covers Sogoo and Sagamian locations, an area stated in the source document as approximately 25 square kilometres, within the South West Maasai Mau Forest water catchment and riparian areas of the Mara and Ewaso Ng’iro rivers. These catchments are important to communities and ecosystems downstream.
Office
Sogoo Market, P.O. Box 60, Amalo – Narok, Kenya
EmailOur vision
To recreate an environmentally friendly society, complemented by socio-economic empowerment.
Our mission
To facilitate restoration of natural ecosystems through lobbying, advocacy, capacity building, skills development and training, promoting sustainable environmental conservation while improving local livelihoods.
What guides us
Our core values
Integrity and trust
Collective responsibility, honesty, transparency, accountability and mutual trust.
Resilient livelihoods
Promote environmentally friendly practices, poverty reduction and food security.
Responsible action
Work within applicable local, regional and national legal frameworks.
Our programmes
Projects and achievements
The following achievements are based on the information supplied by SOCOFONA and should be verified by the organisation before launch.
Tree planting and nurseries
150,000 seedlings planted on 30 hectares of riparian land and private and institutional woodlots. Five tree nurseries established and 25 others supported with materials.
Spring protection
26 springs protected with retaining walls and livestock troughs; catchments rehabilitated through fencing and tree planting.
Fish farming
Seven fishponds established, six operational, and one fully harvested. Groups trained in pond construction and fish-farming management.
Efficient energy
Two energy-saving jiko enterprises started, and ten groups trained on renewable energy.
Community capacity
Fifteen groups trained in tree nursery management; 25 catchment committees formed and trained; 32 WRUA sub-committees formed and trained.
Women and youth
Ten women and youth groups supplied with dairy goats to support livelihood diversification.
Change in the community
Impact, lessons and best practices
Early successes reported
- Improved water quality and quantity at protected springs.
- Reduced conflicts associated with springs.
- Reduced water-borne disease cases in areas with protected springs, according to the source document citing Sogoo Health Centre records.
- About 90% survival of planted trees, as reported in the source document.
- Improved income for nursery owners and uptake of soil-block making.
- Reduced construction costs through use of soil blocks.
Lessons learned
- Engage school clubs and societies when identifying beneficiaries.
- Use memoranda of understanding with beneficiaries to reduce future misunderstandings.
- Test and adapt efficient fish-farming methods.
- Fencing spring catchments can help improve water quality and quantity.
- Trained members have started enterprises such as tree nurseries independently.
- Farmers have adopted terracing, agroforestry and crop rotation.
Key challenges
Community participation
Reluctance by some community members to contribute to or accept certain projects.
Local pressures
Concerns about the effects of possible evictions in the Mau complex on project activities and communities.
Resources and training
Limited funding for further projects and a need for additional training for committee members.
Help us do more
Our appeal: priority areas for support
SOCOFONA seeks partners and funding to build on community achievements and extend conservation and livelihood activities.
01 · Riparian conservation and spring protection
Expand riparian conservation, educate communities, provide seedlings and alternatives that reduce pressure on sensitive areas, and improve selected spring reservoirs to retain water longer.
02 · Women’s livelihood enterprises
Support women’s groups with income-generating activities such as dairy-product value addition, milk processing training and chicken rearing. The source document reports a 70% success rate for earlier dairy-goat activities.
03 · Household water harvesting
Build community capacity in rainwater harvesting and help install water-storage facilities at selected homesteads and institutions.
04 · Bamboo propagation
Establish a permanent greenhouse for bamboo propagation, managed by the association, with seedlings intended for springs and the Mau Forest catchment.
Interested in supporting a project or forming a partnership? Contact SOCOFONA to discuss needs and collaboration opportunities.
Discuss a partnershipWorking together
Partners, associates and funders
Partner listed
Kenya Forest Working Group
Associates listed
Narok County Government
Kenya Forest Service (KFS)
Funding organisations listed
European Union through Community Development Trust Fund — 28,350,000
African Conservation Centre (ACC) — 900,000
SNV — 100,000
Our beginnings
Founding members
The supplied document lists the following people as founders when SOCOFONA was established in 2008.
Joseph WaitageNelly LesereJames TangusJames KorirGrace LikwopRusi TankiMarcela LangatPhilip RotichLuisa SangAndrew Langat
Personal identification numbers in the supplied document have been omitted from this public website for privacy.
Get in touch
Let’s conserve our natural heritage together.
For project partnerships, community engagement, support or more information, contact SOCOFONA.
SOCOFONA – Sogoo Market
P.O. Box 60, Amalo – Narok, Kenya
Email: socofonaprojects@yahoo.com
Phone / WhatsApp: +254 726 685 357