For over 37 years, the Elsamere Centre for Education in Sustainability (CES) has been at the heart of environmental outreach across East Africa, empowering learners, teachers, and communities to take meaningful action for the planet. From our unique setting on the tranquil shores of Lake Naivasha, we extend our impact through programmes that blend training, mentorship, and hands-on conservation practice.
Our eco-friendly demonstration sites, including a tree nursery, rainwater harvesting systems, a biogas plant, and a permaculture garden, serve as living classrooms that inspire learning through experience. Each year, CES trains about 150 teachers from across East Africa, equipping them to integrate sustainability into their school activities through well-developed and practical action plans.
The Eco-Schools Programme, one of our flagship initiatives, has been running successfully for 37 years. It provides enjoyable and experiential learning opportunities that nurture environmental responsibility among young learners. Through the formation of Elsa Clubs, the development of eco-codes, and the establishment of school-based projects, pupils actively participate in greening their school environments.
These projects include tree planting, nursery establishment, agroforestry gardens, peace zones, fish ponds, bird feeders, and waste management through composting. CES works closely with partners such as the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) and Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) in Kenya, the Wildlife Education Centre and Wildlife Clubs in Uganda, and the MaliHai Clubs in Tanzania to monitor and support the progress of participating schools.
Beyond schools, CES extends its reach through Community Outreach Programmes that promote environmental awareness and action at the grassroots. We engage local communities in clean-up campaigns, tree planting, agroforestry, and renewable energy demonstrations, encouraging practical, homegrown solutions to today’s environmental challenges. Follow-up and continued mentorship are central to our approach, ensuring lasting impact among the children, youth, educators, and community groups we serve.
To celebrate and motivate excellence in environmental stewardship, CES organizes the annual Elsa Competitions, which attract more than 50 schools and community groups. The winners are recognized during our Open Day in September, where they showcase their initiatives and share inspiring stories that spark new ideas and partnerships for sustainability.
