Mission Africa
UK – BBC1 – January - April 2007: a 15 part series starting 3rd January and on every Monday at 7pm.

When Lewa was approached some 18 months ago by Ken Hames to help with a TV series idea, called “The Dirty Dozen” (featuring some ex British Army soldiers) we said “of course we can help”.  The idea was to bring some Brits to a part of Africa and film them helping to “put something back”.

In June of 2006 the first recces came to Lewa and in addition to the series idea changing a little the timescale moved up quickly!  We had but 6 weeks to develop the programme idea together and put the logistics together.  This was no mean feat from an almost blank sheet of paper.

BBC1's Mission Africa.

The programme developed the idea above but instead of soldiers fifteen artisans from the UK (plumbers, carpenters, electricians, interior designer and architects, to name but a few of the skills) volunteered and gave up 6 weeks of their lives to help develop a remote but growing community conservation initiative with the Samburu at Sera, some 100km north of Lewa.  

The programme involves the artisans using their trade to help build a small tourist lodge, refurbish the water supplies in the area and to move some badly needed wildlife from Lewa to Sera.  In addition the presenters, Nick Knowles and Ken Hames help the artisans to fit into bush life and learn a little more of the cultures and lifestyles.  Ken in particular helps the artisans to develop a sympathy and understanding for the ecosystem and wildlife.

The series follows the artisans – their ups, downs and challenges – some of them very real and demanding in the semi arid conditions into which they launch themselves.  The programme will be featured on BBC1 in the early evening starting in mid January.

The project was a great success, will make a significant difference to a poor and arid part of Northern Kenya but could not have been done without the physical and financial support of:

Tusk Trust
Born Free Foundation
Scottish Water
United Utilities

And of course 15 ready, willing and able volunteers!

Watch out for it!

More Information:

BBC1 www.bbc.co.uk
Tusk Trust www.tusk.org
Born Free www.bornfree.org.uk
Diverse TV http://www.diverse.tv/
Scottish Water http://www.scottishwater.co.uk
United Utilities http://www.unitedutilities.com/