About Us
For over a decade, we have been empowering local communities to transform their relationship with nature’s treasures. Through sustainable harvesting of gums and resins, we’re building resilient livelihoods while protecting our precious indigenous tree species for future generations.
Our Story
Rooted in Tradition, Growing Toward the Future
The Samburu people have understood the value of gums and resins for generations. Our ancestors knew which trees yielded precious frankincense, when to harvest gum arabic for the best quality, and how to process these natural treasures for medicine and trade. This ancient knowledge forms the foundation of everything we do today.
Our Journey began in the early 2010s when community members recognized that individual collectors were struggling to access fair markets for their products. Middlemen often paid low prices, and harvesters lacked the knowledge to improve product quality or find better buyers. Women, despite being skilled in collection and processing, had limited voice in decision-making processes.
The solution was simple but powerful: organize collectors into a unified community-based organization that could aggregate products, share knowledge, and negotiate with buyers from a position of strength. What started as informal groups of collectors has grown into a sophisticated network of cooperatives, training programs, and market linkages that span Samburu County.
Today, we proudly serve over 500 community members across 25 cooperative groups, with women comprising 85% of our active participants. Our work has expanded beyond simple collection to include tree conservation, value addition, certification processes, and leadership development.
Our Journey began in the early 2010s when community members recognized that individual collectors were struggling to access fair markets for their products. Middlemen often paid low prices, and harvesters lacked the knowledge to improve product quality or find better buyers. Women, despite being skilled in collection and processing, had limited voice in decision-making processes.
The solution was simple but powerful: organize collectors into a unified community-based organization that could aggregate products, share knowledge, and negotiate with buyers from a position of strength. What started as informal groups of collectors has grown into a sophisticated network of cooperatives, training programs, and market linkages that span Samburu County.
Today, we proudly serve over 500 community members across 25 cooperative groups, with women comprising 85% of our active participants. Our work has expanded beyond simple collection to include tree conservation, value addition, certification processes, and leadership development.
Mission & Vision
Our Vision
The Samburu Gums and Resins Community-Based Organization is dedicated to sustainably sourcing, aggregating, and marketing high-quality gums and resins products while providing training and support to local communities to manage tree resources for biodiversity protection.
Our Vision
To empower local communities in Samburu County to sustainably harvest, source and manage gums and resins tree resources for economic growth, environmental conservation, and social resilience.
Our Goals
Sustainable Resource Management
Promoting sustainable collection and management of gums and resins tree resources
We implement rotational harvesting systems, teach proper tree care techniques, and monitor the health of our indigenous species. Our approach ensures that trees remain productive for generations while meeting current market demands.
Community Empowerment
Empowering local communities and women through comprehensive training programs
Our training goes beyond harvesting techniques to include leadership development, financial literacy, cooperative management, and environmental stewardship. Women receive special support to take on leadership roles in their communities.
Quality & Value Addition
Enhancing skills to improve product quality and access premium markets
Through hands-on training, we help collectors understand market requirements, implement quality control measures, and explore value addition opportunities that command higher prices.
Market Access & Fair Trade
Facilitating access to markets, certification, and fair-trade opportunities
We serve as a bridge between local collectors and national/international buyers, negotiate fair prices, and support members in achieving organic and fair-trade certifications.
Environmental Awareness
Raising awareness on the importance of preserving, restoring, and protecting the local environment
Environmental education is integrated into all our programs, helping communities understand the connection between healthy ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods.
500+
Trained community members
15+
TREE SPECIES UNDER CONSERVATION
70%
women participation
6+
YEARS OF OPERATION
Join our mission to empower communities through nature's treasures
Our community-based approach combines traditional Samburu knowledge with modern sustainable practices. We train collectors in quality harvesting, connect them to premium markets, and ensure that both people and trees thrive for generations to come.
What Makes Us Unique
Our community-based approach to natural resource management creates lasting change by combining traditional Samburu knowledge with modern sustainable practices, ensuring both environmental conservation and economic empowerment.
Our programs are designed and implemented by community members themselves. External partners provide support, but decisions are made by the people who live with the consequences.
With 70% female participation, we recognize that women are often the most knowledgeable and committed stewards of natural resources. Our programs specifically address barriers that prevent women from accessing markets and leadership opportunities.
By creating economic value from standing trees, we provide communities with powerful incentives to protect and restore forest resources rather than clearing them for other uses.
Individual collectors gain strength through collective bargaining, shared learning, and mutual support. Our cooperative model ensures that benefits are shared equitably.
