How Class 8 Dropout John Pameri Became a Pilot and Manager at Lewa Conservancy
John Pameri has made a life for himself despite not furthering his education beyond primary school.
The 46-year-old schooled up to Class Eight but today he works as a pilot and head of security at the famous Lewa Conservancy in Laikipia County.
“I don't have university papers, I don't have secondary school papers but I managed to do everything,” he says.
Pameri sat for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam at Olarjiju Primary School in Laikipia in 1990 and scored 321 out of the possible 700 marks.
He did not proceed to high school as his parents were unable to raise tuition fees plus the Maasai culture did not value education at the time.
“I waited for my parents to get money to take me to the secondary school level, but they never managed to, so that was the end of my education,” he said.
In 1992, he joined Lewa Conservancy as a volunteer with the hope of becoming a ranger in the subsequent recruitment.
“I went across to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy which I walked 100 kilometers from here,” Pameri recounted in an interview with Citizen TV.
At Lewa, he went through physical and intellectual training, rising through the ranks to the position of assistant head of security.
Four years later, Pameri enrolled for a natural resource management course at Mpulumanga in South Africa and graduated with a distinction.
Lewa Conservancy later sponsored his pilot training at the Pletermaritz Flight Training Centre in South Africa, and in 2012, he had his first solo flight.
“The communities are really proud of me seeing my life how I have grown up from a local community,” Pameri said.
Today, Pameri is in charge of 87 members of staff, including field rangers who are tasked with wildlife management, resolving human-wildlife conflict, security, and escorting guests at the conservancy.
“People speak, but wildlife doesn’t. I don’t think there is any other job I would do…until my life ends, it’s about conservation and wildlife, that is my bottomline,” he said.
Comments
Very good! What I didn’t…
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Very good! What I didn’t hear is how he was admitted to Lewa conservancy. Usually class 8 drop outs don’t get it that easy. Wanted to hear the juicy stuff. How about South Africa training part? There’s a lot to read that didn’t come out. Well done though.
Being a Masai,and scoring a…
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In reply to Very good! What I didn’t… by My two cents (not verified)
Being a Masai,and scoring a relatively good on the exams," aquarter system" was applied.And that need not necessarily be pointed out.
Unlike the lazy gentleman…
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In reply to Very good! What I didn’t… by My two cents (not verified)
Unlike the lazy gentleman with degrees in agriculture who has not worked in 14 years, this gentleman volunteered where he wanted to work. It looks like he proved himself and he is working and making a difference. Hats off to him.
Another victim of the…
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Another victim of the useless 8-4-4 system of bull crap. Good for him. Your attitude determines your altitude.
Good job! Inspiration to me!
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Good job! Inspiration to me!
The school system can fail…
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The school system can fail you so bad until you become a pilot. Prof mazrui was another school victim. About GED and college SAT are introduced instead of old folks putting uniform and wasting time again in sch. The last thing to reform is govt and sch system. Resource and time wasters despite innovation in private sector
I beg to differ. Lewa…
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I beg to differ. Lewa conservancy is run by kaburus (think Cholomondley relas n types) with high UK connections. To think they hired the dumbest dropout then take him to brother kaburus of apartheid South Africa to teach him "security" raises a few eyebrows. Is this homeguard in the making to protect their interests from fellow wafrika who they stole the land from? Or to go fight in Zim, Congo for these minerals. One thinkg I know I wont be boarding this bandia bush pilots' prop plane. Scarry thing is these kinds of licenses are then used to get jobs and fly people around. Thats why you see planes dropping all over and the dumb media fail to even list the pilots' credentials or experience.
Stop hating .He is a trained…
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Stop hating .He is a trained pilot.Planes do not drop because of dumb pilots usually the first culprit is the weather, poorly maintained planes and pilot fatigue.It matters not the number of abbreviations after your name once you ascend to the skies there are no guarantees you will make it back down safely even the most experienced pilot knows that reason being that you have no wings to fly like a bird when push comes to shove.For an 8-4-4 dropout he has done extremely well for himself while PHD’s are still tarmacking
Planes do not drop because…
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Planes do not drop because of dumb pilots
Ati nini?I guess you are now just being wilfully ignorant or trolling. Even your last point of fatigue places responsibility on pilot.
Over 50% of wrecks are caused by well-trained professional pilots.
https://www.evergladesuniversity.edu/blog/major-causes-of-airplane-acci…
Google and do your research if you want. This doesnt include Bush pilots like this guy is. Am not hating just stating the obvious.
While Its good he has a gig a dropout, I think the phd's tarmacking is a bigger national problem that shows wasted utility/investment. Again, I still believe the kaburus picked him over more learned people. That should factor somewhere if dropouts are more employable and reinforces the dilemma of nepotism over meritocracy.
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