My name is Emmanuel Chui, and I used to be a notorious wildlife poacher.

I did it to feed my family, but now my life's turned around.

A few years ago, Avaaz members helped my community create 'Nashulai', the world's first Maasai-led conservation area. Now I work as a wildlife ranger, helping to protect the animals I once hunted.

At Nashulai, we can earn a living, educate our children, and are building a vibrant community that lives alongside abundant wildlife. We've cleaned the rivers, and revived an ancient elephant birthing ground -- 25 baby elephants were born last year!

But I'm writing because now it's all under threat.

Costs are soaring and tourism hasn't recovered since the pandemic. Yet we're blocked from most conservation funds because they're reserved for traditional, human-free wildlife parks. These reserves displace my people, pushing us into slums and shanty towns. Without funds, we face the same future -- some of us already work temporarily without pay.

Avaaz members were pivotal before -- now we're humbly asking again.

Your donation will keep our beautiful conservancy alive, supporting wildlife, and thousands of Maasai families, like mine. It would help pay our rangers, fund nature restoration, and provide community healthcare. You'll also be powering Avaaz campaigns for Indigenous rights around the world.

We, Maasai, are the guardians of vanishing grasslands, rivers, and wildlife. But we can't do it alone. Please donate what you can now!