Papariko: Empowering Women through Mangrove Reforestation in Kenya
By Lena Mechenkova, founder and Head of Project Management Office at Vlinder
In Kenya’s Kwale county, the Papariko mangrove reforestation carbon project, led by Vlinder in collaboration with our ground partner Umita and the RACOFA Community Forest Association, is not just about planting trees — it’s about empowering the communities living in the project area.
Working with the communities of Munje, Bodo, Shirazi, and Funzi, our project emphasizes supporting women. These areas are special as they are located in a place of outstanding natural beauty and the majority of the people belong to the Muslim minority. To them, we provide jobs, meaningful leadership opportunities and the space to grow.
Two years into the project, we witnessed a noticeable change in women’s participation and leadership. They fill over two-thirds of the paid positions and are always the majority of attendees at educational and training sessions. Through Papariko, women are gaining financial independence, enabling them to provide for their families, purchase utensils and household equipment, buy school clothes, and cover school fees for their children.
One example is the women-led TUNUSURU Community-based Organization in Munje which is not only running mangrove nurseries to supply seedlings to our project and earn their living but also saving some funds to invest in community infrastructure, like the new community hall that was opened last week.
During the hall’s opening ceremony, attended by Umita CEO Isabella Masinde, Vlinder founder Lena Mechenkova, and the Papariko team, the CBO chairwoman Mwanadiwani Yusuf expressed gratitude for the project’s support in empowering and uplifting women. She noted that more than economic empowerment, Papariko is fostering a sense of respect and recognition among women in these communities.
Other women who spoke on behalf of the TUNUSURU CBO and the RACOFA Community Forest Association mentioned that they now feel comfortable expressing themselves at meetings and showcasing entrepreneurial skills. They decided to name the new building Papariko Hall, symbolizing our collaborative effort in uplifting the community.
There is still much work to be done to complete the hall, but it can already be used. The community’s plans include hosting meetings and celebrations and renting it out for various events. The Papariko team was honored to be the first customer: we suggested paying the fee for the meeting, showing our support for this initiative which we hope will bring more visitors and customers.
Papariko is proud to be part of these women’s journey toward economic independence and community development and looks forward to witnessing further growth and leadership.
