The Tofauti Foundation was set up to help wildlife and people in tangible ways and demonstrates a more fundamental understanding of the real problems on the ground in Africa, than maybe more mainstream charities. We look to target isolated communities or ecologically deprived locations with skillsets and infrastructure designed to genuinely assist wild places. We collaborate with likeminded people who desire to get the job done, even against the odds. We fundamentally believe that together we can make a difference.
We work across four pillars of partnership:
- Human – wildlife co-existence
- Environmental Awareness
- Wildlife Protection
- Infrastructure and habitat
Each project is stringently assessed along with the partner who has been identified and together we work to ensure the project’s success.
Find out more at www.tofauti.org
Empowers Africa has partnered with Tofauti Foundation in order to provide a cost-effective solution to fundraising in the United States by acting as their fiscal sponsor. Any donations made here will be granted to Tofauti Foundation.
Empowers Africa uses Stripe to process credit card donations. Stripe has very stringent security rules which may lead to declined credit card transactions. If you are experiencing trouble processing your donation, kindly contact Nadia Derelieva at (917) 328-1611 or via email: nadia@empowersafrica.org
Tofauti Foundation Campaigns
10% Fence plan
This initiative is fencing 10% of specific farmers land. Inside this area they have their homestead, a ‘shamba’ (vegetable patch in Swahili) and all livestock at night. This electric fence protects the family, the livestock and their crops from predation, and has been proven to be a game changer for them. It is agreed that the remaining 90% of their land must be left for wildlife use.
In conservation people are critical to the wellbeing of the wildlife that surround them. This two-fold initiative supports the local communities who are constantly defending their crops and livestock from raids. The fence plan due to the huge reduction in conflict, creates a far more positive attitude from the community towards the wildlife.
It is understood and explained to the community that because of the wildlife this project has been developed to assist them. In return for their homestead/shamba and crop protection they must nurture local wildlife so they can live more harmoniously together.
Crabs Alive
Tofauti’s first blue project takes us to the Kenyan coast to work with artisanal fishermen and women who have depended on the Indian Ocean for livelihoods for centuries. Unfortunately, due to over harvesting of all marine species these communities have had to survive as best they can on smaller fish or crustaceans. This situation is not improving, so we have joined forces with Crabs Alive Ltd to provide a species-specific improvement programme for mangrove crabs, from egg to market. Community out grower programmes have been established to provide sustainable incomes from locally grown and managed ponds inland.
We have been fortunate that previous projects on the Kenyan coast have provided infrastructure that can be adapted for mud crab habitat and growth. Working closely with the local community, we are all learning, what locally available food substances will ensure maximum crab growth and condition in the shortest duration possible.
The most positive thing about mangrove crab production is that there is a guaranteed market, both locally in Kenya and internationally. This is likely to grow substantially into the future.
Infrastructure and Development Projects
Our aim is to go into wilderness areas and improve the situation for communities and wildlife. Tofauti has completed several infrastructural and development projects to date with various partners. Examples include:
- Placing a water source in the form of a Sand Dam in Northern Kenya for both wildlife, livestock and people to benefit.
- Building specific species enclosures to reduce predation and enabling an ability for numbers to recover.
- Providing an asset in the form of a tractor to help with buildings/roads and other required services.
- Providing a stake in a community owned and run eco-lodge in Kamungi Conservancy for additional revenue stream generation.
We continue to explore new partners and opportunities where we can make a lasting difference to people and wildlife in remote locations.
Roan Antelope Project
Kenya’s roan antelope population and distribution has been on a steady decline over the last 4 decades mainly through habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching and anthropogenic activities. By the turn of 2018, the only remaining population in Kenya, in Ruma National Park was estimated at 19 individuals. At a national level, the species is critically threatened, with Kenya Wildlife Services driving its recovery. These animals are a biological treasure and saving them is a priority. It would be a great shame for Kenya’s mammalian biodiversity if that population was lost.
Tofauti strategically partners with Back to Africa and Kenya Wildlife Service to provide a safety enclosure in Ruma with provisions for water and habitat to reduce the casualty losses for the Roan through predation, especially of the young by Hyena. Ongoing monitoring and management of this enclosure is required, along with additional animals to solve for the genetic bottleneck due to the declining numbers. Provisions for this are sought from neighbouring African countries.
General Donations
If you do not have any specific project in mind and wish the organization to use their own discretion, please click here.
Donations can also be made by check or wire transfer:
Checks should be made out to “Empowers Africa” and should be mailed to:
Empowers Africa
2 Beekman Place, Ste. 18B
New York, NY 10022
www.empowersafrica.org
(917) 328-1611
Kindly note in the memo section of the check that funds are for Tofauti Foundation and indicate a specific program if applicable. Or email us at info@empowersafrica.org.
For wire transfer details or more information, please email us at info@empowersafrica.org.
Empowers Africa has been approved as a U.S. public charity, contributions to which are tax deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 501(c)(3) [EIN: 32-0403737] of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
Thank you for your support!