02 THE MILK TO MARKET PROGRAM

Each day, the women rise before dawn to gather milk, transforming it from sustenance into a force of life. Each drop nourishes not only the elephants who have lost their mothers but also the women and their entire extended families who, in selling their milk, find a path to independence and strength. 

Milk becomes the lifeblood, allowing families to thrive, school fees to be paid, and futures secured. Since the program's inception, Reteti has implemented training and entrepreneurship initiatives, equipping women with tools to save and manage their earnings. 

Many have developed additional businesses, building their income, investing in their families, and reimagining their roles within the community. This financial stability has allowed these women to become a foundation for future generations, creating a bridge to a sustainable future.

The orphaned elephants at Reteti are bottle-fed a carefully crafted mixture of camel and goat milk, tailored to each orphan's needs with infused vitamins and supplements, five times a day— a ritual that not only nourishes them but also reinforces their bond with their keepers.

03 RETETI — RESCUE TO RELEASE

Baby elephants that arrive at Reteti are typically orphaned due to a combination of environmental pressures and human-wildlife interactions. For example, accidental falls into deep wells dug by pastoralists during dry seasons leave calves stranded and vulnerable.

Additionally, severe droughts in Northern Kenya have increased the number of orphaned elephants, as scarce water and food sources weaken adult elephants, making survival difficult for young calves separated from their herds. 

Over a hundred dedicated Samburu keepers care for the sanctuary's 34 current resident orphans, preparing them for the day they will return to the wild; 23 have already been successfully rewilded — a rebirth made possible by a united community.

For Reteti's keepers, caring for these elephants is more than a job; it is a calling, a quiet devotion that runs as deep as the Samburu soil. Through patience, trust, and an unspoken language shared only between them, the keepers form a profound bond with their orphans—a connection that transcends species. 

Gentle gestures, Samburu chanting, and comforting touches mimic the presence of a mother, creating a safe space where these young elephants learn to trust again. Each day, the keepers embody the essence of human-nature connection, reflecting compassion's healing strength and a conservation vision grounded in empathy and unity.

Between feedings, they roam the landscape, guided by their keepers as they explore and forage. During these outings, the young elephants practice essential skills needed for their eventual return to the wild. Under their keepers' watchful eyes, the orphans learn to forage for edible plants,

04 NOMADIC MONTESSORI SCHOOL PROGRAM: GROWING CONSERVATIONISTS FROM THE GROUND UP

In 2018, The Sarara Foundation launched the first Nomadic Montessori school in Samburu, designed to nurture young minds through nature-centered experiential learning. 

This innovative program is mobile, following Samburu communities as they relocate in search of water and pasture, making it the first mobile Montessori school in the world.

Since its inception, the program has grown to now include four schools, and fourteen dedicated teachers - led by Head Teacher Stella Lenangoisa - who have all crafted a curriculum deeply rooted in the local environment. 

All teaching materials are handmade from wood to avoid plastics, and children wear shuka-style uniforms that honour the Samburu tradition. 

Now encompassing four schools, the program serves as a nurturing space for 185 children, blending practical life skills with ecological awareness and fostering curiosity, independence, and a love for learning. 

Its conservation-centred education instils in young minds a profound respect for their landscape, fostering responsibility and empathy that will shape future generations.

05 HEALTH AT THE HEART OF COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION

In the cool shade of an acacia tree, The Sarara Foundation's mobile clinic sets up for the day in a dry riverbed, and Nurse Dorcas Moraa greets Eveline, a twenty-five-year-old mother cradling her two-week-old baby, Lemanakoi. Nurse Dorcas offers her the foundation's Mother's Gift Pack, containing essentials like reusable pads, baby nappies, gentle soap, and a mosquito net. These items represent a community's promise to support new mothers and the next generation.

Nurse Dorcas visits twelve villages twice each month, providing vital healthcare services: health checks, family planning guidance, treatment for mothers and children, and education. 

Her clinic offers antenatal care, complete with iron and folic acid supplements and portable ultrasounds, ensuring safer pregnancies for women and healthier futures for children. For urgent cases, the clinic assists with surgeries and covers essential medical costs, providing a lifeline for vulnerable communities.

Reflecting on her work, Dorcas shares, "We are like a tree; we each play a vital part in our community and The Sarara Foundation is the heart of the tree." 

Through her care, the mobile clinic has become a source of both healing and hope. Each visit unites caregivers and patients in shared responsibility. The Sarara Foundation's mobile clinic reaches into remote communities, delivering essential healthcare with a focus on mothers and children. Their holistic healthcare builds trust and empowers families to manage their well-being.

06 A VISION FOR HARMONY

"Over the past year, we have been privileged to witness and participate in the delicate process of rewilding. Supporting the natural regeneration of our landscapes, we have discovered profound lessons from the land itself and the enduring wisdom of ancient cultural traditions.

This journey has shown us the value of stepping back, observing, and listening with humility to the rhythms and voices of the natural world." - Katie Rowe

As co-founders of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in 2016, Jeremy and Katie Rowe have been instrumental in shaping a groundbreaking conservation initiative. The story of Sarara has become a flagship model for conservation on community land across Africa, demonstrating how restoring and preserving the environment can transform livelihoods. 

It showcases what is possible when a community unites for conservation, exemplifying the power of a grassroots movement that has become a blueprint for success in the region and beyond. Namunyak's story of wildlife restoration is one of resilience, overcoming challenges to safeguard a rare and remote natural legacy.

The Sarara Foundation and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary stand among the few indigenous-owned community conservation projects in the world. Together, they employ over 550 Samburu people, who own and steward the land. Since its inception, the foundation has helped the elephant population grow from just a few hundred to over 7,000, rekindling a bond between people and nature that has been lost in many parts of the world. 

Sarara is a testament to what can be achieved when communities unite around a shared respect for the environment. It has cultivated a sanctuary not only for elephants but for the human spirit, fostering a way of life where the rhythms of daily existence harmonise with the cycles of nature.

Sarara is not only a model of ecological stewardship but also a beacon of hope, proving that humans and nature can coexist in mutual support and respect. As this vision continues to expand and inspire, it reminds us that the future of conservation lies in bridging the gap between people and the natural world.