I have set up this fundraiser together with Conserve Global https://conserveglobal.earth/ to help support our colleague Stanley Loter to undertake his MSc in Conservation Science at the University of Kent, UK. We have worked with Stanley for the past 3 years, spearheading community development and conservation in a remote, forgotten and marginalised corner of Northern Kenya. Stanley is a champion for his community and a passionate advocate for conservation. This MSc is a fantastic opportunity for Stanley to build his knowledge and capacity to continue leading rural development and conservation in his community.

This is more than supporting a degree. It is a chance to invest in a conservation leader whose impact is already transforming lives and whose potential is only just beginning.

This is Stanley's story

My name is Stanley Loter Ekaale – Founder/Director of the Initiative for Suguta Valley Development (ISVD), a community-based organisation that is supporting rural development and conservation in the remote Suguta Valley in Turkana County, northern Kenya.

I was born in 1998 in Kapedo Village within the Suguta Valley where I completed my primary education before joining high school in Lodwar, 200 kms away from home. I later enrolled at the University of Nairobi, where I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Geology. My educational journey has not been smooth. The persistent ethnic conflicts, between different communities in and around the Suguta Valley, deeply affected our lives and learning environment. In many instances, gunshots replaced student laughter. During our school years, we lost several students to the conflicts, while others suffered gunshot wounds. Growing up and studying in such an environment exposed me to the harsh realities of marginalisation, insecurity, and limited opportunities.

Village in the Suguta Valley

However, these challenges became a source of motivation rather than discouragement. I realised that education was one of the strongest tools capable of transforming our communities and creating sustainable peace. This understanding inspired me to remain focused on my studies and passionately pursue education as a pathway toward change and development.

While at the University of Nairobi, I began mentoring students from my region and supporting literacy initiatives aimed at encouraging young people to remain in school despite the challenges surrounding them. Through mentorship and community engagement, I witnessed the transformative power of education in restoring hope among vulnerable students.

In 2023, together with like-minded colleagues, we founded ISVD, a community-based organisation established to connect the Suguta communities with development opportunities. Our shared vision is to achieve peace and sustainable development through community-led conservation initiatives.

For many years, Suguta has been negatively labeled as the “Valley of Death,” a narrative that has contributed significantly to the neglect and limited investment in the region. ISVD seeks to change this perception by creating opportunities for education, conservation, peacebuilding, and sustainable livelihoods.

In 2023, we secured a partnership with Rift Valley Conservation, the Kenyan entity of Conserve Global, an international conservation organisation and registered charity. Through this collaboration, we have supported education bursaries for 190 students annually, employed 28 local community members, and organised annual peacebuilding forums that bring together communities to dialogue and find common ground.

Stanley and Community Field Monitors employed by ISVD

Conservation has emerged as a key pillar in achieving our broader objectives. The Suguta Valley region possesses unique ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources that, if properly managed, can become a foundation for peace, economic growth, and sustainable development. I strongly believe that conservation can serve as a unifying platform for communities that have historically been divided by conflict.

My admission to University of Kent to pursue a Master of Science in Conservation represents an important step in strengthening my capacity to contribute meaningfully to conservation and community development efforts in the Suguta region and beyond. This course will equip me with the knowledge, practical conservation skills, and global perspectives necessary to address complex environmental and social challenges. I aspire to use the knowledge and experience gained from my MSc to empower marginalised communities through conservation and sustainable development.

Stanley facilitating community discussions

Your support will go directly towards supporting my tuition fees and accommodation expenses. Conserve Global and Rift Valley Conservation are providing funding for my living and travel expenses over the course, and I am awaiting the outcome of a scholarship I applied for to contribute to tuition fees. Every contribution, large or small, will directly support a step in this journey and will be so gratefully received.

Ejok noi

Thank you!