In this series, we take a closer look at how AB Entheos’ work comes to life in practice, beyond the concepts and into the realities on the ground.
Karen Van Wyk-Aryee
Project Coordinator, Zambia
Karen works on the WILD Cover project in Zambia’s Greater Kafue Landscape, where she focuses on coordinating field activities, supporting claims verification, and working closely with partners and communities to ensure the model functions effectively on the ground.
Her role brings together the operational and relational aspects of the work, connecting field realities with the systems that support them.
Bringing a Model to Life
Karen’s role is centered on ensuring that the different moving parts of the WILD Cover model function effectively in real-world conditions.
She works closely with Community Verification Officers (CVOs), conservation partners, and government stakeholders to support the claims process and ensure that incidents are properly documented and verified.
From reviewing claims evidence and coordinating field activities to supporting community engagement and contributing to discussions around sustainable financing, her work connects both the operational and strategic sides of the project.
“It’s meaningful to be part of work that has a real impact on communities and conservation.”
When Expectations Meet Reality
While many roles evolve, Karen describes this one as exceeding her expectations.
What stands out most is the opportunity to contribute to something that is not only practical on the ground but also part of a broader solution. The combination of immediate, tangible work and long-term impact makes the role both rewarding and purposeful.
The Challenge of Distance and Consistency
One of the challenges in this work is ensuring consistency and quality in evidence collection across remote and often hard-to-reach areas.
Claims frequently occur in locations that require strong coordination between communities, field teams, and partners. Maintaining verification standards in these contexts is not just a technical task. It depends on reliable systems and clear communication at every level.
What the Work Teaches
Beyond processes and systems, one of the most important lessons has been the role of trust.
Trust and communication, Karen explains, are just as critical as the technical design of an insurance product. When communities understand how the system works and see that claims are handled fairly, their confidence in the process grows.
What People Don’t Always See
Much of this work happens far from visibility.
In remote landscapes, verifying claims often requires long journeys across difficult terrain. Community Verification Officers travel extended distances, sometimes with limited network coverage, to reach claimants and document incidents.
During certain seasons, entire communities can become inaccessible due to flooding. In some cases, the only available means of transport is an ox-cart.
These realities highlight the level of on-the-ground commitment required to ensure that claims are properly verifiedand that communities are consistently supported.
Connecting to a Bigger Vision
Karen’s work plays a direct role in advancing AB Entheos’ Insurance for Nature approach.
By helping operationalize the WILD Cover model, she helps ensure the pilot functions effectively while generating insights to inform how the model can be refined and scaled to other landscapes facing similar challenges.
Looking Ahead
What lies ahead is what excites her most.
The strong potential for the WILD Cover model to expand beyond the pilot landscape and reach more communities across Zambia. With human-wildlife conflict affecting many regions, the opportunity to scale a model that supports both people and conservation is a powerful motivator.
And as we continue to explore how our work unfolds across different landscapes, one thing remains clear:
Purpose.
Karen Van Wyk-Aryee
Project Coordinator, Zambia
karen@ab-entheos.co.ke