From Field Visit to Ecocert: Supporting the Tsunza Community’s Work in Coastal Kenya
By Nurfatin Hamzah
As Community Manager at GainForest, I work closely with local partners around the world. My role is to build trust, understand the needs of each community, and co-create ways to support local conservation efforts with technology. Last month, I traveled to Kenya for a three-week field visit, spending time with several grassroots communities across the country. My first stop was Ukunda, where I met with our partner, Africa Climate and Environment Foundation (ACEF).
Together with ACEF, we journeyed to the Tsunza Peninsula to meet one of their grassroots partners, the Tsunza Fishpond Community-Based Organization (CBO). Standing among the mangroves and handmade fishponds, I saw firsthand the strength and resilience of a community protecting its environment with heart and determination.
Tsunza has been deeply affected by the construction of the Dongo Kundu Bypass and the broader impacts of climate change. Mangrove clearing, sedimentation, oil spills, and habitat disruption have all contributed to a sharp decline in fish stocks, which have been the community’s primary livelihood for generations. In response, the community began exploring alternative sources of income. Since 2018, they have been restoring mangroves through a small nursery, cultivating fish in hand-dug ponds, and starting beekeeping for honey production.
Their six fishponds, all dug by hand, are powerful symbols of community labor and commitment. Most of the members are elders who initiated this shift themselves as they find new ways to support their families and protect their environment.
Walking the Land with the Community
Getting to Tsunza was an experience in itself. We arrived by motorcycle and then walked over a hill to reach the base of the site. As we entered, we were greeted by members of the Duruma community. They are one of the Mijikenda ethnic groups native to coastal Kenya. They welcomed us with a traditional dance and song that filled the air with rhythm and meaning.
The song, sung in the local Duruma language, told stories of their conservation work and deep connection to the land. It praised their local leaders, honored their community, and celebrated us as visitors. The lyrics, rich with cultural pride, were also a spiritual act that summoned abundance for their people, their land, and those they welcome. It was not just a performance. It was a gift.
The community danced us from one site to another with energy and joy. They showed me their six fishponds, the mangrove nursery they care for, and the beehives they once hoped to use for honey production. The fishpond operations have been difficult to maintain due to limited funding, while the beekeeping efforts have slowed down because of both a lack of funds and technical skills.
Turning a Challenge into an Opportunity
Although the Dongo Kundu Bypass has brought ecological and economic hardship to Tsunza, ACEF saw a potential opportunity. The community’s location near the new highway makes it more accessible to visitors.
ACEF is now working with the community to develop the site as a space for eco-tourism and environmental education. Together, they are setting up the Eco-Community Marine Education Centre which will offer programs on mangrove restoration, fish species, and local ecological knowledge.
The main structure of the Eco-Community Marine Education Centre is already built. It uses biodegradable, locally available materials like bamboo. While additional work is still being done to furnish the interior and develop training materials, the space is already beginning to take shape as a central hub for learning and exchange. The center will offer hands-on environmental education, support sustainable livelihood training, and celebrate cultural heritage. It will host school programs, aquaculture and beekeeping workshops, guided mangrove tours, and storytelling sessions led by elders. Revenue from eco-tourism, product sales, and training will help fund the center's operations.
This work is part of a larger shift. It responds to local challenges by strengthening community knowledge and creating new opportunities for income and education.
Why On-the-Ground Visits Matter — Especially for Builders
This visit was more than a field trip. It was a powerful reminder of who we are building for.
At GainForest, we are working with ACEF to create an Ecocert for the Tsunza Fishpond CBO. This Ecocert will support their education centre, eco-tourism programs, and the development of hands-on learning materials. It will help them tell their story, reach new supporters, and connect with funding opportunities.
Field visits like this one are essential, especially for those of us working in web3 and conservation technology. Being on the ground allows us to meet the people who stand to benefit the most. We see the realities of their lives, the solutions they are creating, and the challenges they are facing. This helps us design tools that are not only innovative but truly useful. It also reminds us of our responsibility to create entry points, build capacity, and amplify the voices of local stewards.
Ecocert is built on the Hypercerts Protocol and acts as an environmental impact certificate. We created Ecocert to give grassroots communities like Tsunza Fishpond CBO and ACEF a way to showcase their impact and receive support. It serves as a lightweight, accessible alternative to more complex certification systems. Supporters can contribute directly to verified work, and communities can receive funds in their crypto wallets. As part of our process, we also provide training on how to access and withdraw crypto safely in each country.
You can support the Tsunza Fishpond CBO directly by contributing to their Ecocert here. Every contribution helps sustain their work and strengthens their impact on the ground.
Behind every dataset, every tool we build, and every funding effort, there are real people. People who plant, teach, protect, and care for the places they call home. Seeing their work reminds us what this is really for.