Learning Across Borders: A Conservation Education Exchange in Rwanda

2 days ago
2 min read

Travelling is often said to be the best teacher, but when you combine travel with a shared passion for the planet, the lessons run even deeper. In mid-February 2026 (15^th-20^th), I had the incredible opportunity to travel from the coastal shores of Kenya to the rolling hills of Rwanda for a five-day exchange visit that has forever changed how I view environmental education.

Supported by Tusk Trust and organised under the Pan African Conservation Education (PACE) program, my mission was simple: to learn, share, and bring back the best conservation strategies from the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) to our work at the Lamu Marine Conservation Trust (LaMCoT).

A Meeting of Minds at Umusambi Village

The journey began at Umusambi Village, a beautifully restored wetland and sanctuary for Grey Crowned Cranes. Surmounted by the peaceful calls of the birds, I joined 14 RWCA mentors and Penny, the PACE Coordinator, for a workshop that challenged us to look beyond just "planting trees."

We dove deep into Conservation Ethics, discussing how we must respect local cultures to truly make an impact. I realised that conservation isn't just about protecting nature; it’s about building trust. We also explored Conservation Photography, learning how a single image can tell a story of hope or urgency that words sometimes fail to capture.

Classroom Without Walls: Seeing Conservation in Action

The real magic happened when we left the workshop and visited Mubuga and Jarama schools. I was blown away by the learner ownership I saw. Students didn't just talk about the environment; they showed us:

Composting: Turning organic waste into "black gold" for their crops.
School Gardens: Seeing flourishing cabbages and onions grown by student hands.
Tippy Taps: Simple, hands-free handwashing stations made from local materials that bridge the gap between hygiene and water conservation.

It was a powerful reminder that you don’t need a massive budget to create meaningful change - you just need creativity and local materials.

Bringing Rwanda Home to Lamu

As I return to the Lamu archipelago, my notebook is full of ideas. My goal is to infuse the "RWCA spirit" into LaMCoT’s programs. This means:

Empowering Mentors: Shifting our school patrons from supervisors to active mentors.
Practical Projects: Bringing the Tippy Tap and composting models to our partner schools in Lamu.
Storytelling: Using photography to document our students' successes and share them with the world.

A Personal Milestone

On a personal note, this trip was a series of firsts for me. It was my first time meeting our coordinator, Penny, in person, and incredibly, my first time travelling outside of Kenya! The warmth of the Rwandan people and the shared dedication of my fellow conservationists made me realise that while our borders may be different, our goal is the same: a sustainable future for Africa.

I want to extend my deepest thanks to PACE, RWCA, and Tusk Trust for making this exchange possible. A special thank you to my team at LaMCoT for their ongoing support.

The lessons from Rwanda are now planted in the soil of Lamu - I can’t wait to watch them grow.

Written by Fondo Jackson,

Conservation Education Officer