Regenerating Kaya Chonyi, Kenya’s Sacred Forest

In Kwale County Kenya lies the Kaya Chonyi Sacred Forest, a spiritual and ecological sanctuary guarded by a culturally rooted group of elders. Through indigenous knowledge passed down for generations. These elders are  organized under the Kaya Chonyi Community-Based Organization (CBO) that  have worked tirelessly to protect both the forest’s biodiversity and the cultural identity of the Duruma people. But today, this sacred forest is under siege. Encroachment for firewood, illegal grazing, and the recent torching of traditional cultural houses used for public education have put this heritage at grave risk. Indigenous tree species here, some are critically threatened or  are disappearing, and so is the knowledge needed to protect them. Still, Kaya Chonyi CBO remains committed to safeguarding what’s left and rebuilding what’s been lost. With over 5,000 indigenous seedlings already established in their nursery, and in partnership with the Africa Climate and Environment Foundation (ACEF), the group is scaling up efforts to protect the forest and revive its cultural importance. How Your Support Will Help: Your financial contribution will directly support the following community-led activities: * Reconstruct two torched traditional cultural houses (Kayas) to revive public and school-based indigenous education programs * Digitally document and archive indigenous knowledge and oral history for intergenerational learning * Tag, map, and monitor indigenous tree species in the Kaya forest using mobile-based tools and local youth engagement * Expand the indigenous seedling nursery and improve water access for nursery care and school-based tree planting * Train community educators and school clubs on the cultural and ecological roles of sacred forests * Develop signage, learning materials, and interpretive trails within the forest for responsible eco-cultural tourism and education * Launch a school greening program to plant trees and raise climate change awareness among youth in Chonyi This isn’t just about protecting trees. It’s about restoring identity, reviving knowledge, and building climate resilience in a community that still believes in nature's sacredness. Your support will empower Kaya Chonyi elders to remain forest guardians, cultural teachers, and climate leaders in their own right. Help rebuild, replant, and reclaim the future of Kaya Chonyi.