December 2019
A publication making learning UNFORGETTABLE for every Langley student
The MeeTing and Passing of Two exTraordinary Lives
By Toni Hourston
I
n 2009, Sudan was one of seven remaining northern white rhinos in the world. In an attempt to save a species decimated by poaching, a decision was made to transfer Sudan and three other northern white rhinos, Suni, Najin, and Fatu, from a zoo in the Czech Republic to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Ol Pejeta was chosen because of their ongoing successful protection of the northern white rhino’s close relative, the southern white rhino, and other vulnerable African animals such as the black rhino, elephants, lions and cheetahs. Conservationists hoped the move to their native environment would encourage successful mating and preserve the species. Unfortunately, despite everyone’s best efforts, Suni died in 2014, leaving Sudan as the last remaining male member of his species. Too old to mate successfully, Sudan died in March 2018. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy believes that the best way to protect wildlife is to support the local population. This support fosters good will between the people and the conservancy and leads to a decrease in poaching. PA-MOJA works in collaboration with the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Langley School District Foundation to provide secondary school scholarships for Kenyan students living near the borders of the conservancy. Thanks to its community development programs and the success of its anti-poaching unit, Ol Pejeta has not had a poaching incident in over two years. Silvia Knittel first met Sudan ten years ago on a trip to Kenya in the early days of an education and wildlife conservation
project she and her colleagues were working on, now known as PA-MOJA. To Silvia and to many others within PA-MOJA and around the world, Sudan became an icon; an ambassador of extinction on our planet. Silvia was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2018 and passed away eight months later. One of her last acts before she died was to return to Kenya to say goodbye to the country, people, and wildlife that she had fallen in love with. It is in her name that PA-MOJA, as the global education branch of the Langley School District Foundation, has created the Silvia Knittel Memorial Fund, which will be used to continue to provide scholarships for Kenyan students. PA-MOJA and the Langley School District Foundation ask that you join us for a special fundraiser screening of KIFARU - Look Extinction In the Eyes, David Hambridge’s incredible documentary about Sudan and his caretakers, James Mwenda and Joseph Wachira. Their story unfolds with beauty, sadness, adventure, compassion, empathy and finally, deep loss. The reality is shocking but educational and even rejuvenating. It is a film that will leave you devastated yet inspired to make a difference. “KIFARU is a feature-length documentary that follows the lives of two young, Kenyan recruits who join Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s rhino caretaker unit - a small group of rangers that protect and care for Sudan, the last male northern white rhino in the world. Spanning over the course of the caretakers first four years on the job, KIFARU allows viewers to intimately experience the joys and pitfalls of wildlife conservation firsthand through the eyes of these Kenyan rhino caretakers who witness extinction happening in real-time.” The screening will feature two guest speakers: Dr. Gillian LaPrairie, worldrenowned primatologist, current PA-MOJA committee member and inspiration for the PA-MOJA project, and, by Skype, Mr. Moses Muthoki, Head of Operations and Community Development at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and former PA-MOJA Education Coordinator.
inside
Pamoja Scholarship Page B3 Remembering a Superstar Page B5 The amazing Essence of Being Page B6 The Call of Nature Page B7 & B8
Silvia Knittel connecting with Sudan for the last time in both their lives. KifarU Look extinction in the eyes Saturday, January 18th, 2020 Chief Sepass Theatre 9096 Trattle St, Langley 6:00-9:30 pm Doors open at 6:00 pm, Reception with light refreshments served Screening at 7:00 with introduction by guest speaker Dr. Gillian LaPrairie After-show Skype Call at 9:00 with Mr. Moses Muthoki from Kenya Chance to win a signed and limited edition print by Simon Combes Big Five Silent Auction: five exclusive Kenyan items up for bid Door Prizes Tickets: $40 includes opening reception and admission to KIFARU in the Chief Sepass Theatre Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets:
Halloween at Willowbrook Shopping Centre Page B9 3rd Annual West Fine Art Show Page B10 Christmas Fundraiser Page B11
https://kifarufilm.brownpapertickets.com/
silvia Knittel Memorial scholarship All proceeds from the KIFARU showing will go to the Silvia Knittel Scholarship to provide funding for Kenyan students to complete their secondary education. To donate to the Silvia Knittel Memorial Scholarship, please go to www.langleyschooldistrictfoundation.com/ and click on the PA-MOJA button in the header bar. Toni Hourston is part of the PA-MOJA team and has travelled to Kenya on several occasions. She is Silvia Knittel’s daughter.
susan Cairns Executive Director scairns@sd35.bc.ca Advertising: shaulene.burkett@blackpress.ca 604-994-1035