Story from Koko Chepnuk from the area around Mount Elgon

Importance of Mapping as tool for Empowerment

Presented by Edmund Barrow, IUCN

Mount Elgon National Park; and

Our Farms

We do our mapping as a group (and men do their maps) – and map our landscape – both as it is now and how we would like it to look like in 10-20 years time

We present and Discuss our maps in front of everyone –men included

We have our present situation maps and our vision for what it will look like in 10 years timeThis helps us analyze our problems and identify solutions

Our Partners can make our maps into “smart”computer maps!

We identified our problems and now we are working on implementing the solutions –•Terraces, tree planting & wood lots •Advocating for a by-law to prevent roaming animals from destroying our trees and we participated in the formulation of that bye-law

Key Messages:•Ownership of the process & actions•Empowered to take action which was recognized