CONSERVANCIES & COMMUNITIES
THRIVE TOGETHER
We engage local communities to protect the Midlands fragile ecosystem
and improve the lives and well-being of the many villages surrounding it,
through the Sebakwe Conservation Education Center (SCEC)
Immersive Experiences for Students
Conservation and sustainability are taught through an immersive approach, utilizing interactive exhibits, wildlife rehabilitation classes and guided tours which provide insights into the flora and fauna, and conservation efforts within the conservancy. These programs are geared toward middle and high school students, and focus on the ecological and cultural importance of protecting and nurturing endangered animal species and indigenous tree and plant growth.
Typically, each immersive session hosts 30 students, with an annual total of approximately 3000 students. Each group stays at the center for three overnights for a full range of day and night experiences on the conservancy.
The Sebakwe Conservation Education Center
The Sebakwe Conservation Education Center (SCEC) serves as a hub for learning, and awareness of the importance of animal and environmental sustainability. It provides tangible skillsets, including sustainable farming workshops, sewing and garment repair classes and wildlife education. Through interactive exhibits, workshops and classes, the center plays a vital role in fostering a connection to the wildlife and encourages responsible behavior and a sense of stewardship for the environment. All of which are supported through foundation grants and individual support from donors like you.
Reforestation Climate Change Initiative
This initiative was created to combat deforestation, savannah loss and climate change by engaging local communities in planting and nurturing indigenous species, seedlings provided by the Zimbabwe Forestry Commission, National Parks, and the Rural District Council.
The program reaches out to surrounding communities, offering the opportunity to become actively involved in reforestation efforts. Participating individuals are paid daily stipends and provided with the proper training in growing tree seedlings. Once the seedlings mature, they are replanted in their community ultimately growing into full size trees. Currently the program can manage three to four villages / session with each session lasting six to nine months.
Health Education
& Community Programs
The SCEC helps support local clinics by providing vaccinations, medications, and by building maternity wings. In 2020, the MWC provided the clinic with a solar power unit to provide year-round electricity needs.
Building Wells & Expanding Schools
The SCEC has worked closely with village development leaders to drill, harness and commission 12 wells at schools, clinics, villages and small cattle farms.
The school build-out program has maintained and rebuilt schools, provided plumbing services and free of charge water access. During COVID, the SCED provided masks and hand sanitizing stations, which are still in use today to help prevent the spread of disease.
Community Events
The SCEC hosts and organizes a two-month long football (soccer) and netball tournament each year. The tournament is open to men and women and features 16 football and 8 netball teams.
The tournament is a rallying point for conservation education and community bonding, incorporating other organizations such as the National Parks. Tournaments have been attended by high-ranking government officials and helps raise awareness of the MWC’s work.
Menstrual Health Program
Girls across Africa miss more days than boys at school due to menstruation. Many girls subsequently drop out of school earlier, resulting in lower paying jobs and opportunities.
This program focuses on menstrual health, debunking myths around menstruation while empowering young women in local communities by providing them with supplies of reusable menstrual pads. The reusable pads are made by local women who are paid a fair wage.
