DESCRIPTION OF SHILOH SUNDSTROM’S WORK IN KENYA AND THE WEST

Adaptation and Networking Strategies of Kenyan and

U.S. Livestock-dependent Communities

This comparison should provide a more generalized understanding about the capacity of these entities and networks to contribute to the resilience and adaptability of livestock-dependent communities in both countries (Armitage and Plummer 2010). Further, this comparison will build upon, and further understand the impacts of the shared learning that has already occurred through previous exchanges between American ranchers and Maasai livestock herders (Curtin and Western 2008). The specific objectives of my proposed research are to:

1. Describe how and identify why these new and emerging community-based organizations and local, national, and international networking efforts are contributing to the overall resilience of the socio-ecological systems these communities are based upon.

2. Drawing on this empirical research, produce new knowledge about the structure and role of hybrid community-based and collaborative organizations and networks in fostering resilient livestock dependent communities in rangeland settings.

3. Understand and compare the historical and contemporary context of livestock and

rangeland management in southern Kenya and the American West to determine how and why communities in both countries are creating and adapting alternative community-based, often landscape-scale governance and networking strategies to maintain access to the natural resources that provide the foundation for their livelihoods.

This research will use qualitative case study research methods including semi-structured interviews with community members and local and national government and non-governmental organization officials about their participation, experience in, and knowledge of these efforts. Other methods include reviewing appropriate historical and ecological research and visiting projects, informal discussions with stakeholders, and attendance at relevant meetings. Working with the African Conservation Centre (ACC) and South Rift Landowner’s Association (SORALO) I will first select two or three case study communities in the South Rift region of Kenya that vary across a spectrum of land use and ownership arrangements (traditional livestock herding vs. commercial livestock rearing and communal land ownership vs. private land ownership) that are actively participating in SORALO’s conservation and development efforts. In the American West, I will replicate this work in one or more case studies of American ranching communities in which the threats, landscapes, and community-based efforts are comparable to those identified in the Kenya.

- Shiloh Sundstrom

The SHILOH CLASSROOM Project

The climactic and the final event of the trip for me was the dedication of a new classroom for the Meidenyi village school. This is in the community where Shiloh often stayed and where he had some of his closest connections. He had promised that when he finished his college work and made some money, he would build a classroom for the children. This addition would allow for the school to provide another level for the students to continue their education without having to leave home. His family, relatives and friends collected donations in his memory to accomplish this goal, and raised the $9,500 needed to fund all the construction and supply the furnishings. The Classroom was finished in time for our whole TEAM to be present for its dedication on a beautiful day at the end of our journey through Maasailand. The happiest and most emotional moments of the trip for me came when the children of the school sang this song which they memorized and were helped to write by one of their teachers:

"Shiloh, Shiloh, Shiloh,
I wonder who you are?
A friend, a brother, or a
school-mate?
I have an answer!
Shiloh, Shiloh,
you are our Savior,
much more than a friend,
who was sent by God,
like an angel
to change our lives
from illiteracy to literacy.
Shiloh, Shiloh,
we are proud of you,
and your donation.
No more harsh weather
on us while we learn,
Thank you, thank you for
your beautiful classroom.

Rest in Peace, Shiloh"

In conclusion, I can only say that I know it never crossed Shiloh’s mind to think of himself as being an important person. This trip proved him to be wrong about that.

Johnny Sundstrom

Meidenyi School children awaiting TEAM arrival for the Dedication of their new Classroom

New classroom building with TEAM members at dedication