community at

community projects

Our team

community and conservation

Since its inception, The Sanctuary has built and nurtured a strong relationship between management, homeowners, commercial lodges, and the local community. Through co-management, ongoing engagement, community programmes, support initiatives, and job creation, local livelihoods continue to improve year after year. The relationship is deeply connected and mutually beneficial.

High School

primary schools

total pupils

save turtle breeding areas

working together

An important part of this partnership is ongoing dialogue between The Sanctuary and neighbouring communities. Liaison officers, experienced in navigating communication between community leaders and management, play a key role in maintaining understanding and cooperation.

shared leadership

The neighbouring communities, collectively known as Queuene, are made up of several distinct zones, each represented by its own chief. Regular meetings between The Sanctuary’s management and these traditional leaders help ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are respected and preserved. This ongoing engagement supports a genuine co-management approach to the area’s natural resources.

livelihoods and local life

Agriculture and fishing remain the main sources of support for many local families. Subsistence farming is widely practised, with crops such as cassava, maize, wheat, beans, and peanuts forming part of daily life. Along the coast, fishing has sustained communities for centuries, while trade and barter between farming and fishing communities have long helped create a balanced way of life that continues today.

healthcare support

To help meet local healthcare needs, The Sanctuary built a clinic which is staffed by government. Malaria prevention and treatment remain a major priority, especially for children, who are most vulnerable. The Sanctuary and the Department of Health work together on regular spraying programmes to help control mosquito populations.

education and opportunity

7 primary schools and 1 high school with total number of learners = 2402 fall within The Sanctuary’s main area of responsibility. Alongside the standard government curriculum, The Sanctuary also provides additional support and materials focused on conservation and tourism, helping to connect education with the surrounding environment and future opportunities.