Raabia Hawa has had an unrelenting love for animals and passion to protect earth’s wildlife her entire life. After a life changing encounter with a slain elephant, a victim of Africa’s poaching crisis; Raabia left a successful career as a tv journalist to do everything possible to support nature’s caretakers - wildlife rangers. 

​

In 2015, Raabia led a 15- day cross-country trek called the “Walk With Rangers”, starting in Arusha, Tanzania and ending in Nairobi, Kenya. The 500km trek gained global attention as participants learned about what rangers do, the sacrifices they make, and how their bravery is protecting wildlife for future generations. Following the international success of the Walk with Rangers, Raabia established UAF, East Africa’s first non-profit to focus on ranger welfare, empowerment and facilitation, with an aim to mitigate human wildlife conflict and enhance anti-poaching efforts. Focusing her work in the coastal region of the Tana Delta, Raabia quickly became a respected leader and was then bestowed the appellation of Honorary Warden of the Kenya Wildlife Service.

​

Raabia is a 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow, completing her fellowship under the young African leaders initiative at the Goldman School of Public Policy, UC Berkeley. In 2015 she was honored to be among five handpicked wildlife conservationists who participated in a conversation with civil society hosted by President Barack Obama. Raabia is featured in the 2018 documentary "Breaking Their Silence: Women on the Frontlines of the Poaching War".