The Chui Mamas are a women-led community conservation group based around Loisaba Conservancy in northern Kenya. Formed by women from neighboring communities, the Chui Mamas focus on strengthening local livelihoods while supporting the protection of wildlife, especially the region’s iconic leopards (chui in Kiswahili).
 

Working closely with Loisaba Conservancy and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the Chui Mamas participate in livelihood training, coexistence workshops, and enterprise development initiatives that help reduce human–wildlife conflict and create new economic opportunities for women and their families. Their work demonstrates how investing in women strengthens conservation outcomes across the entire landscape.

WHAT DID THE MCW GRANT SUPPORT?

MCW’s grant helped strengthen the Chui Mamas Resource Centre and support women’s livelihood development. Funding covered basic centre operations, governance support for their first Annual General Meeting, targeted tailoring training, and start-up materials for their honey processing and packaging enterprise. This investment helps the Chui Mamas build stable income streams while advancing community-led conservation in Laikipia.