Solar Milk Cooling Project
In partnership with WWF, this important project is empowering Maasai women, with the provision of a 3,000-litre solar-powered milk coolant system, which allows for milk from the community livestock to be stored and sold to commercial milk suppliers, and provides the women with an income and the opportunity of improving livelihoods of the local communities.
The Maasai’s life is largely centered on cattle herding and this project has enabled them to increase the income they receive from the same cattle.
Before the milk coolant system was introduced to the community, there hadn't been adequate cold storage when there is too much milk, and the milk was therefore sold at very low prices or not at all, which leads to high wastage.
In addition, as the milk was being sold individually the women didn't have access to the higher prices and more consistent market offered by the commercial milk companies in Kenya.
We are happy to report that the project has been a success with the
“Ol Kiwu Self-help group” the 18-member group who received the milk coolant as a result of leasing their land out for wildlife habitat conservation and tourism. Land which today constitutes the 18,700-acre Ol Kinyei Conservancy. 15 out of the 18 group members are Ol Kinyei landowners.
We are keen to replicate this project in other communities with no milk-cooling plant and who have set parts of their land aside for wildlife and biodiversity.
For more information: https://wildlifehabitattrust.org/trust-projects/