Chawia Forest is an ancient isolated forested area with a wealth of unique flora and fauna in South Kenya. Officially, it is protected as nature reserve. However, the forest is slowly disappearing due to illegal logging for charcoal, and with it, the unique flora and fauna, especially rare native birds and butterflies. The local youth club in Chawia, consisting of smart and passionate people with professions such as teacher, engineer, and journalist, want to put a stop to this. In 2022 they prepared a plan, which is partly focused on restoring the area but also offering new sustainable economic values to the local community based on small-scale ecotourism. Since then they have been actively replanting trees, re-introducing native butterflies and building facilities for the eco-camp. We work together with the local youth club and believe in their passion and ambition to realise the plan.
