Silvia Knittel was a visionary teacher, driven by a passion for environmental justice and equality in education on a global scale.
An ardent activist and animal lover, the former PA-MOJA president was inspired to co-found the organization upon hearing Dr. Gillian La Prairie speak on the intersection between wildlife conservation at Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC) and access to school in surrounding communities. From that moment in 2006 until her passing in 2018, Knittel dedicated her life to both causes.
Originally called Project Kenya Sister Schools, PA-MOJA first began as an exchange program between schools in Kenya and Canada, with an eye towards interconnectedness, and the dissolution of cultural barriers. Each local school would fundraise to provide scholarships for students residing near OPC who were strong academically, but could not afford to go to school.
On Silvia’s first trip to Kenya in 2008, she was able to establish a rapport with both the management at OPC and the communities who lived outside its borders. Seemingly tireless and famously savvy, she partnered with local Kenyan artisans, purchasing wares from curio dealers to resell in British Columbia for more, and sending the proceeds to Kenya for more student scholarships.
Silvia returned to Kenya every summer, never alone, always keen to share her vision, and her passion with others who wanted to help. Visitors had the opportunity to spend time in the conservancy, witnessing the incredible diversity of wildlife, and in the surrounding communities, developing bonds and rapport with those touched by PA-MOJA. During these visits, Silvia was never far from her camera, constantly collecting images and videos. She then masterfully wove these together to create movies to give people back home a sense of the incredible beauty and resiliency of Kenyans and their environment.
As PA-MOJA grew alongside our Kenyan partners, the project evolved and expanded. Schools and individual donors now support specific students, to enable more direct contact, a sense of collaboration, and the building of lasting relationships.
Silvia always believed that life should be viewed with a ‘question mark’ rather than a ‘period’. She believed in lifelong learning and lifelong growth; she believed in education on a global scale. Her students have repeatedly spoken about the impact she had on their ability to think critically, care deeply, and get involved in any way, in any country they can.
The entire PA-MOJA team is committed to continuing the legacy of Silvia Knittel, and her inexhaustible passion for this planet and its people.
