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Building Hope in Tanzania:

Empowering Maasai Women.

Protecting Wildlife.

by Tim L. Tetzlaff, Director of Conservation,
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

n my role for Naples Zoo, sites are protected, helping preserve the corridor while
I spend well over a month providing families with a stable income. This revenue
I a year in Tanzania to see enables them to break the cycle of poverty and gain
the reality of conservation on independence. “With our own income, we can decide
the ground. Ten years ago, I was what’s best for our families,” Mama Helena explained.
introduced to African People & Such empowerment not only benefits these women but
Wildlife (APW) and its founder builds a resilient community that is able to respect and
Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld. Over this value the local environment once those basic needs are
time, I’ve heard from many Maasai met. Through their efficiencies and experience, APW
elders proudly sharing how can construct this life-changing community hub for just
APW’s efforts have protected their cattle from predators, $30,000. Please consider joining us in this effort. That’s just
thus reducing retaliatory killing of lions. And I’ve sat in six of us providing a gift of $5,000 or twelve giving $2,500
my tent at night listening to the iconic roars of the king to make this happen. This project needs urgent funding,
of beasts confirming the resulting increase in lion populations. In and with your support in 2024, I can send you a greeting from Laly
the last three years, I’ve also visited APW’s Women’s Enterprise as I stand inside the new center on my next trip to Tanzania in 2025.
Center in the town of Loibor Siret and personally shook hands with Naples Zoo has supported APW for a decade, funding the
dozens of women who now have income and choices for the first salaries of 11 staff members, including five Queen Bees, five Wildlife
time. I confess I had tears in my eyes the first time Mama Helena Warriors, and a Women’s Empowerment Officer. Our long term
Mbarnoti spoke about paying for her own daughter’s schooling— investment in APW reflects Naples Zoo’s dedication to meaningful
an unimaginable reality before this Center opened. It was hard not conservation and community empowerment. We’ve funded millions
to well up thinking of my own daughter and realizing the thousands of dollars directly to our long term partners for conservation projects
of women being lifted up through APW’s work. like these with zero overhead costs, ensuring every donation makes
This past October, I stood in the shade at the Center with a tangible impact.
Laly as she laid out her hopes to help thousands more women This new Women’s Enterprise Center in Makuyuni was not able
by opening another Women’s Enterprise Center, this time in the to be part of APW’s 2025 budget, so we’re seeking your help to make
town of Makuyuni. I needed no map as thousands of tourists pass it a reality. Donations can be made directly to Naples Zoo, with the
through it on their way through the Eastern Rift Valley on their restriction “APW Women’s Center” in the memo section of the
way to Serengeti–most with little awareness of the threats to this check and mailed to Naples Zoo, 1590 Goodlette Rd N., Naples,
landscape for the wildlife they’ve come to see. Makuyuni borders FL 34102. You can also contact me at tim@napleszoo.org for stock
a vital wildlife corridor for elephants, lions, and other species that transfers. Every cent goes to this project, creating opportunities for
move between protected areas. However, deforestation and human women to thrive and for Tanzania’s wildlife to roam freely.
encroachment threatens this pathway. With your timely gift, I’ll be able to share the life changing
True to APW’s name, this new center will serve a dual purpose: opportunities available to the Maasai women with you and how
empowering local women and protecting wildlife, creating a lasting the Center is strengthening conservation in this critical corridor.
impact on both the community and the surrounding environment. Join me in building a legacy that uplifts communities and protects
APW’s beekeeping initiative offers a sustainable solution by giving Tanzania’s landscapes. Together, we can create a brighter,
Maasai women the tools to produce and market premium, wildlife- more resilient future for people and wildlife.
friendly honey. Under Tanzanian law, forests around beekeeping

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit entrusted with educating families and caring for rare species in a century old historic garden. Since 2014, Naples
Zoo has invested over $3.5 million saving plants and animals in the wild and fully funds the annual salary of 27 field staff in 7 countries including three wildlife veterinarians.
To learn more about how you can invest in a better future for people and wildlife, email tim@napleszoo.org.

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