Appeal for support for young Kenyan studying whales

From: Fleur Ng'weno <fleur@africaonline.co.ke>

Date: 2015-06-22 13:13

Subject: Appeal for support for young Kenyan studying whales

Appeal for support for young Kenyan studying whales Dear Birders

The appeal below is about whales and people, not birds, but I thought it is a worthy cause.

Wishing you good birding, Fleur

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From: Watamu Marine Association <wma@watamu.biz>
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2015 14:34:59 +0300
To: Steve Trott <stevetrott@watamu.biz>
Subject: Please support our young Kenyan scientists

Dear friends, supporters and colleagues

Can you help us make a dream come true for two young Kenyan researchers.

Since 2011 Watamu Marine Association has been studying endangered humpback whales which make an impressive annual migration of around 4,000km from the Southern Ocean in Antarctica to the East African coast. Our two young researchers Mike Mwang’ombe and Kahindi Charo who are both members of our Watamu Community Groups have been tracking their movements and recording their numbers to provide the first ever data on humpback whales from the north Kenyan coast. We now know that this breeding population of whales number up to 500 individual animals. This data is important for developing regional and international conservation strategies.
In recognition of this valuable conservation work, Mike and Kahindi have been invited to present their data at the Humpback Whale World Congress - Madagascar <https://hwwc2015.org/index.php>
This will be the first time that Kenya has been represented at this global conference.
To get them there next Saturday 27th June we need to raise GBP600 / KSh87,000 for flights and accommodation
Both Mike and Kahindi are extraordinary as they only have a secondary school education and are self taught in using GIS mapping, photographic ID techniques and data analysis.
For them to attend the Congress would be a huge personal achievement and a national accolade. It would also encourage other young Kenyan scientists to excel in conservation.
Any donation you can make will help and all donors will be recognized in social media. If it is not possible to donate then please share this email with your network

Donations can be made by:

MPESA to Jane Spilsbury on 0720 781782

Or

By BANK TRANSFER to:

Bank: Imperial Bank Ltd
Branch: Watamu
Account: Watamu Marine Association
Acc No. 7700001327

Many thanks for any support you can give
Steve

Steve Trott
Projects Development Manager
Watamu Marine Association
Phone: +254(0) 721275818
Website: www.watamu.biz/ <http://www.watamu.biz/>
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/watamumarineassociation
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