Success Story – Cumara Stevens

In addition to the education grants awarded to university students, we also award equipment grants, often to students pursuing vocational courses who require specialist equipment for their studies, or for other educational purposes, such as field trips.

Last year, Cumara Stevens had the opportunity to visit the Mpala Research Centre in northern Kenya as part of her second year zoology degree.

The foundation agreed to award Cumara an equipment grant to support her trip, and she returned with the following overview of her time in Kenya.

“I am writing to sincerely thank the FGSF for the generous grant that supported my recent university field course to Mpala Research Centre in northern Kenya, undertaken as part of my second year studying Zoology. Your contribution helped make possible what has been one of the most memorable and inspiring experiences.” Cumara Stevens

Mpala, Laikipia, Kenya Summer 2025

Mpala was not quite the dry savannah I had imagined. I was struck by how unexpectedly green the landscape was. Even the “roads,” if you could call them that, added character to the journey—often little more than rough tracks that sent us bouncing through the bush with laughter and white knuckles in equal measure. 

We were the only group during the trip to see all of the Big Five, with the elusive leopard completing the list. After scanning the undergrowth in silence, we finally spotted it—partially concealed in the bush. It slowly emerged, majestic and alert, before dashing off into the thickets as quickly as it appeared. The moment was fleeting but electrifying. To witness such a secretive animal, even briefly, felt like a rare privilege and brought a real sense of completeness to the experience. 

Throughout the trip, we learned to interpret the land in new ways—reading animal tracks, listening to calls echo across the bush, and watching wildlife in its natural environment.  

One unforgettable moment was watching a bull elephant stand guard over a calf, shielding it from our presence with quiet, commanding strength. For one fleeting moment, there was a tense fear that he might charge, but he stood his ground before diverting off the path. Another morning, as we sat at breakfast, a group of elephants came to bathe in a nearby waterhole—a surreal and joyful sight I’ll never forget.

At night, we fell asleep in beds shrouded by protective nets to keep out mosquitoes, though some tents had other unexpected visitors—such as a snake or a spider—which only added to the authenticity of the experience. Outside, the distant calls of hyenas patrolling the edge of camp created a sound both eerie and oddly comforting, accompanied by the low grunts of hippos from the nearby water, forming an unforgettable soundtrack to our nights.

We also set up camera traps and later analysed the footage, identifying species and patterns of behaviour. Presenting our findings at the end of the trip gave us a real sense of what it means to conduct field research.

Beyond the iconic large mammals—giraffes with their striking markings, wild dogs roaming the bush, buffalo, rhinos, lions, zebras, and impalas—the diversity of life at Mpala was extraordinary.

We were fascinated by the abundance of bird species filling the skies and trees with song. One particular highlight was observing the remarkable symbiotic relationship between ants and acacia trees: the ants protect the trees from herbivores and clear competing vegetation, while the trees provide shelter and nourishment for the ants. This narrow focus on ants opened my eyes to the complex and delicate interdependence that exists in nature, reminding me that even the smallest creatures play essential roles in maintaining the health of entire ecosystems.

A visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy gave us valuable insight into frontline conservation work. Seeing the effort, knowledge, and care that goes into protecting endangered species made a lasting impression.

This trip was not just an academic exercise. It shifted how I see the world and my place in it. I’ve returned with new skills, new perspective, and a much deeper sense of connection to the natural world. I will carry this experience with me always and I’m incredibly grateful to the Fowey Grammar School Foundation for making it possible.

Thank you once again for your support.

Best wishes
Cumara Stevens

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