At Ocean Sole, our mission goes far beyond transforming discarded flip-flops into art. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we exist to protect marine life, uplift communities, and create hope where pollution once thrived. One of our most urgent conservation efforts is the TurtleSafe Project, a program dedicated to protecting endangered sea turtles along the Kenyan coastline.
Why Sea Turtles Need Our Help
Sea turtles are ancient mariners, but today they face very modern threats. Plastic waste and marine debris block nesting sites and are often mistaken for food, leading to fatal consequences. On top of that, poaching continues to put entire turtle populations at risk. Without intervention, these majestic animals could disappear from our shores.
How the TurtleSafe Project Works
Launched in 2024 by Tilda Bouloux and our Coastal Impact Manager, Thomas Sagimo, in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service - Watamu, the TurtleSafe Project is about turning the tide for sea turtles.
Instead of viewing local fishermen as part of the problem, we’ve made them part of the solution. By hiring and training them as TurtleSafe Rangers, we provide sustainable employment while transforming former poachers into protectors of wildlife.
These rangers:
- Monitor nesting sites around the clock
- Safeguard turtle eggs and hatchlings
- Rescue turtles from poachers
- Educate the community about the importance of conservation
Our Impact in 2024/2025 & What’s Next
So far in 2025, the TurtleSafe Rangers have:
- Monitored 11 nests along 2.5 km of Kilifi coastline
- Saved 1 turtle from poachers during a direct intervention
- Facilitated the successful hatching of 420 baby turtles
- Converted former poachers into Turtle Rangers through education and training
- Trained over 120 community members, including fishermen and turtle meat buyers, to become advocates for conservation
- Hosted outreach sessions to address cultural beliefs around turtle meat as medicine
- Built community awareness by preparing for the annual Kenya Turtle Symposium, which gathers 30+ turtle conservation leaders nationwide
What’s Next for TurtleSafe
1. Expand our ranger force. Our immediate goal is to double the TurtleSafe team from 6 to 12 trained rangers, extending coverage to 12.7 km of coastline.
This will strengthen round-the-clock nest monitoring, reduce poaching, and safeguard more hatchlings.
2. Launch an Educational Hub. We are fundraising to build a Makuti and coral Educational Hub. This centre will:
- Host workshops on sustainable fishing practices
- Provide eco-tourism programs such as guided snorkeling in Kuruwitu
- Serve as a training ground for youth and community leaders
- Act as a meeting point for local and international conservation partners
3. Equip Rangers for Success. Expansion requires equipping rangers with:
SPF clothing, snorkeling gear, flashlights, pepper spray (for poaching conflicts), and digital tools (computers, printers, supplies) to improve reporting and data collection.
Every purchase and partnership brings us closer to a future where every nest is protected, every hatchling has a chance to reach the sea, and local communities are empowered as stewards of conservation.
Why It Matters
Protecting sea turtles isn’t just about saving one species. Turtles play a vital role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems, from keeping seagrass beds in balance to supporting biodiversity along the coast. By ensuring their survival, we’re safeguarding the ocean itself, and the communities who depend on it.
Ocean Sole’s Nonprofit Commitment
Ocean Sole is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the United States, dedicated to supporting community, conservation, and creative impact in Kenya. Through funding, partnerships, and global awareness campaigns, the U.S. nonprofit empowers our Kenyan social enterprise to turn ocean waste into opportunity through art, dignified jobs, and environmental action. We don’t just create upcycled sculptures, we support a wide range of impact initiatives that uplift communities, protect marine life, and inspire global change.
✨ Every time you shop with Ocean Sole, you’re not just buying art, you’re helping protect sea turtles, clean beaches, and support livelihoods in Kenya. Click here to view our Shop
🌍 Ocean Sole Programs at a Glance
At Ocean Sole, we don’t just make art from recycled flip-flops, we invest in people, planet, and purpose. Here’s how your support makes a difference across Kenya:
🐢 TurtleSafe Project — Protecting endangered sea turtles by hiring local rangers to safeguard nests, prevent poaching, and educate communities.
🌊 Coastal Cleanups — Removing tonnes of plastic and flip-flops from beaches and rivers before they reach the Indian Ocean.
🌱 Mangrove Planting — Partnering with The Leaf Charity to restore coastal forests, protect biodiversity, and fight climate change.
🌾 Community Garden (Ocean Mamaz) — Empowering the Ocean Mamaz with food security, permaculture training, and sustainable income through Mama’s Miracle Grow compost.
Children’s Safe House & Upskilling Centre — Supporting 104 orphans and vulnerable children in Kilifi with vital resources. We provide sanitary towels for 40+ girls, clean water, weekly meals, art supplies, and a kitchen garden to grow vegetables, transforming a coral mine wasteland into a place of nourishment. This initiative builds dignity, health, and hope for children who need it most.
📚 Marine Education Outreach Program — Launched in 2024, this program partners with schools and the Safe House to embed ocean literacy, conservation skills, and creative recycling for children aged 5–12. Through storytelling, games, and hands-on activities, we nurture the next generation of ocean guardians.
💙 Ocean Sole CARES — Supporting our artisans and staff with healthcare, education, fair pay, and essential resources for their families.
✨ Every donation and every purchase fuels these programs, helping us clean oceans, protect wildlife, and create dignified jobs in Kenya.
