I've raised £2500 to Refurbish the First World War East African Campaign Exhibit at Taita, Kenya in memory of 1000s of unknown Africans
Organised by Joan Willson
Story
Would there have been a First World War East African Campaign without the incredible contribution of 25% of then African population of British East Africa (now Kenya)?
Before the military railway was started from Voi (Half way between Mombasa and Nairobi) to Taveta (on the Kenya, Tanzania boarder) in early 1915 & the introduction of mechanised transport, everything needed in camp & on the battlefields; from toilet paper to drinking water; bullets to bandages; were carried on the heads of the Carrier Corps.
Situated in the centre of what was then 'The Southern Command' of 1914-1915, the Sarova Taita Hills Lodge is perfectly situated for tours of the First World War Battlefields and Forts of the East African Campaign. As a result, in 2014 Sarova Hotels with Guerillas of Tsavo launched a temporary Exhibit in the foyer of the hotel to explain what happend 100 years ago in Taita Taveta County and some of the background to this little known campaign.
Four years later our temporary exhibit is still up and studied by hundreds of people every year.
In April 2018, while in Taita to discuss holding a Commemoration to mark 100 years since the end of the East African Campaign in memory of the 1000s of unknown African soldiers and porters who have no known grave, we decided that the Exhibit needed a refurbish as it needs to encourage protection for the important WW1 heritage sites.
So we are asking for your help to raise money to update & modernise the WW1 exhibit, bringing the East African Campaign to life, in a captivating way that will appeal to the multinational audience all before the Commemoration to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War in November.
Instead of being text heavy, the Campaign will be told through a series of icons, graphics and images with short, sharp accompanying commentary.
Split in to easily digestible areas that tackle one topic at a time, it will be easy for visitors spending just a few minutes at the exhibit to come away inspired, engaged and eager to learn more while ’remembering the forgotten’.
