With an educational background in BSc. Natural Resources Management and immense passion for conservation, Charlene Wandera joined the Mount Kenya Trust team in 2017 as the Forest Restoration and Education Officer after a 6-month internship programme. Her can-do attitude and fierce determination to lead and stand up and be counted amongst a male-dominated field have earned her respect from her co-workers and partners.
She now leads the tree planting and education projects, alongside any other work required of her. No job is too big or small and she takes on any project tasks and problem-solving with enthusiasm and ease. Charlene is an ideas person and was involved in the set-up of the Mount Kenya Ewaso Water Partnership and came up with the tagline used by the forum: ‘Maji Yetu, Jukumu Letu’ (our water, our responsibility). She is the next generation of Kenyan women – empowered, determined and confident to own their independence in society and stand up for what they believe.