East African Wild Life Society’s work in the protection of the region’s biodiversity has received a handsome recognition from the estate of The Late Rosamaria Paasche in Norway. This is after the estate made a legacy donation of USD 400,000 according to the wishes of the reknowned conservationist who was born in El Savador and died in Oslo on 28th November 2016.
The donation was formally presented to the EAWLS Chairman Mr. Joe Kibe by the estate lawyer Mr. Arne Os at a cocktail ceremony held at the Residence of the Royal Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya. Present at the ceremony included H. E. the Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya Mr. Victor Ronneberg, EAWLS board members, EAWLS Executive Director Julius Kamau, invited conservation enthusiast and staff of EAWLS.
Mr. Os spoke of the late Paasche as a diligent philologist whose love for nature and its preservation was unmatched. For close to 5 decades Ms. Paasche devoted her time to working with and for nature across Africa and her birth continent of South America. He noted that the donation of half her entire estate to EAWLS was the utmost indication of how she followed the society’s work and how she drew inspiration from that work.
“It is her hope that this donation will go a long way to further boost the work of the East African Wild Life Society and champion a cause she dedicated a big part of her life to.
Speaking at the ceremony H. E. the Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya Mr. Victor Ronneberg noted that global climate change and loss of biodiversity are among the most serious environmental threats to the world at present. The ambassador highlighted the work Norway has been in several parts of the developing world to combat climate change through projects addressing food security, forests, clean energy and reducing emissions among other initiatives.
“Much of Norway’s development aid to East Africa has been channelled to local partners in key areas such as environment, energy, health and education. We are therefore happy to see Norwegian citizens complement our efforts in a big way by supporting local organizations working towards our shared mission.” The Ambassador added.
EAWLS Chairman Mr. Joe Kibe thanked he estate of the late Rosamaria Paasche for the immense support through the donation. While noting that the society’s work in conservation relied on the generosity of well-wishers, the chairman appealed to more individuals and institutions to partner with the society to maintain East Africa’s rich natural heritage and threatened species.
