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November 2007
Children in the Wilderness News Now going into its seventh year of operation, this initiative continues to run highly successful programmes in Wilderness Safaris camps in Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa and the Seychelles. This year Zambia ran its first Children in the Wilderness Camp and we are very hopeful that next year the programme will extend to include Zimbabwe. Once this happens, the Children in the Wilderness programme will be formally operational in the seven southern African countries in which Wilderness Safaris operates. |
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 Since most of the Children in the Wilderness Camps take place between late November and mid-January, below is a rundown of the camps that have either happened during the year or will be happening soon: · Botswana – In November and December another 96 children will be hosted over six camp sessions at Jacana and Kaparota camps. · Namibia – May/June saw a camp for street children at Kulala Wilderness Camp as well as a second follow-up camp there. Two camps will take place in December 2007 at Desert Rhino Camp – Namibia hopes to host at least 92 children this year. · Malawi – Four camps will be run in December/January with 24 children per camp. · South Africa – Pafuri Camp is operating its third camp and will be hosting 44 children in early December. · Seychelles – North Island completed its second camp and hosted 30 children in September. · Zambia – Its first camp took place in October with 18 children. Overall, this season we will have hosted a further 428 children and 1940 “children-in-camp nights” – since inception of the programme we have hosted a total of 2263 children and 10643 children-in-camp nights. |
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| CAMP FEEDBACK |
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 Environmental Outreach Programme In February, Children in the Wilderness Botswana hosted the first workshop for its new Environmental Outreach Programme. Children in the Wilderness teamed up with the Association of Environmental Clubs of Botswana to develop programme materials for Environmental Clubs in schools. The outreach programme in 2007 hosted a series of five workshops involving the Environmental Club Coordinator from each school to develop projects for the Environmental Clubs. The outcome will be a year’s activity plan with teacher’s guidelines which will then be implemented in 2008. It is hoped that in the future, Children in the Wilderness Botswana can provide this kind of support for a wider base of schools in Botswana. For the first workshop a plant identification project was developed, aimed at teaching the children basic plant identification and research skills, to critically think about the conservation value of plants in their immediate environments as well as what they as individuals and as part of their community can do for conservation. Teachers each received a copy of Veronica Roodt’s field guides: Trees and Shrubs of the Okavango Delta and Common Wild Flowers of the Okavango Delta. |
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 This year, Children in the Wilderness Namibia was sad to see the departure of Sunday Nelenge, who had been the “front and centre” person for most of the Namibian camps. However, on a positive note we were joined by Franco Morao – the youngest member of the team who started as one of the first child-orphan participants on a Children in the Wilderness camp – has developed into a skilled and very talented assistant camp director. One of the highlights this year was the successful implementation of a follow-up camp in Namibia. This camp took place at Desert Rhino Camp with 30 children selected from all over the country who had participated in Children in the Wilderness Camps since 2002, 16 camps in all. The preparation of the follow-up camps started early in 2006 when application forms where sent to all the children aged 16–19. The application forms where detailed and included space for information about themselves, their circumstances, learning from previous camp experiences and a motivation why they should be selected for the follow-up camp. Even though it was very difficult to select a small group of campers from over hundred applications, the group finally included participants from all over Namibia. An older group of children was purposely chosen, as the camp specifically focused on job opportunities and preparation for some of the challenges they may face when leaving school. The week was a memorable one for all involved. While we preserved many of the traditions that make our programme unique, we also succeeded in introducing a wider and new range of topics, including income-generating craft projects, vocational counselling and more in-depth conservation projects. “The camp was wonderful for everyone because it connected us to different friendships from different regions. …It is educational because at camp we were told about the species of plants and trees including Welwitchia mirabilis and Eurphorbia damarana which is the toxic plant in the desert. On our stay to the camp we saw animals which we haven’t seen before, specifically the black rhino and Hartman mountain zebra. One day I remember we played a game whereby everyone is expected to write his or her career. We were given advice on what you are going to focus for you to get a job which you uplift for the future like the subjects to take for further study. The most wonderful thing is when we fly with the aeroplane to Palmwag Lodge. Without the follow-up camp I don’t think I would get the chance to fly with an aeroplane in my life.” Petro |
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 Children in the Malawi conducted one-day follow-up camps for 95 children. This took place at Mvuu and Chintheche respectively. The aim of this one-day follow-up was to build on the learning experience of the initial camp session, to provide mentoring and support through regular contact as well as allow the evaluation of the impact of the programme. Each follow-up has a theme. This year’s theme was “The power of staying focused on your future”. It started with children being picked from their weekly centres. Six stations were set up and the children were divided into small groups. Each group visited each station at which were placed topics that we felt were important to the wellbeing of the children and that needed focus: · Future planning · HIV/AIDS · Environmental education · Values and decision making · Democracy and human rights · The benefits of staying in school At the end of the day a ceremony took place to recognise and award those children who have actively participated in the programme and displayed a difference in their behaviour and commitment to joining the weekly follow-up meeting. In order to enhance proper coordination and collaboration of this follow-up, we also invited two teachers from each school that the children attend. We are extremely happy to report that out of the 59 children who attended the CITW Camps at Chintheche in January, 53 of them attended the follow-up programme. The remaining 6 children have relocated to areas outside Chintheche. Some of the children from Children in the Wilderness Malawi also participated in the Lake of Stars Festival through an American Singer called Yewande Adebayo. Yewande is a hugely talented musician who performs music with a message. Her lyrics reveal universal truths about human conditions whose work has catapulted an inspirational movement of social change. Yewande spent many hours rehearsing with the children prior to the event. At last the big day arrived and 26 children participated in the festival, outshining everyone. Not only was the performance a big hit, the children learnt many life skills in the process. |
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 North Island closed its doors to guests in September to host 30 children for a second Children in the Wilderness programme. The participants were selected by the Seychelles' National Council for Children, from children who attend various levels of counselling. Both children and staff made new friends, and all learnt new lessons of ecological concerns through games and creative projects whilst having an enormous amount of fun in the process. They also learned about fitness as they took part in the "North Island Marathon" led by Tracy Bamber of Wilderness Safaris and Helen Clark, two marathon runners who assisted in raising funds to make the programme possible and who handed out the medals afterwards. Cate Proctor, CITW North Island Project Coordinator said, "As staff we are given as much as we gave. On the last night, we were privy to incredible theatre display from all the children where we not only discovered 30 budding Hollywood stars but were shown an appreciation that moved us all tremendously! We also witnessed just how much had been absorbed and learnt about the environment – our main theme – how their confidence had grown and their new-found happiness had flourished." In the words of one of the children: "I want to say a great thank you to all of you for what you have done for us. I really appreciate it and I want to tell you that I will never forget the great memories being with you all in my heart." |
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 Pafuri Camp is actively preparing for their third Children in the Wilderness Camp to take place in early December. Once again we will host 44 Makuleke children together with their teachers for a five-day programme. This year’s programme has been kindly sponsored by Tauck World Discovery and we look forward to having them as partners on this programme. |
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 Excitingly, staff have begun to prepare for operating the first Children in the Wilderness programme in this country next year. Given the political and economic state of the country, we believe that young Zimbabweans need hope and encouragement more than ever – hence the decision to begin implementing the programme in the near future. Much planning is in progress to implement the programme with focus on staff training. The first programme hopefully will take place in November 2008, when 25 children will be selected from the AIDS orphanage in Dete. This is on the boundary of Hwange National Park where the majority of our camps are situated. |
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| Zambia Voices sang out the welcoming words “Lufupa ne Wilderness” with drums beating in the background, as three Wilderness Safaris Land Cruisers drove into the reception area at Lufupa Tented Camp with 18 tired and dusty children. They dismounted hesitantly, rather bewildered by the group of adults singing and dancing around them, as they were welcomed to Wilderness Zambia’s first Children in the Wilderness Camp. From the 2nd–6th October 2007 Wilderness Safaris closed the doors of Lufupa Camp to guests to host a group of 18 children from Jifumpa School. Jifumpa School is a primary school located in the North Western Province, just outside the Kafue National Park. The school has limited resources: classes average 65 students with only 4 teachers employed to teach them all. Over the four days our programme unfolded and we saw an incredible transformation in each child – the smiles, laughter and enthusiasm grew day by day and hour by hour. Some highlights of the trip included the Movie night where we showed “the Lion King”. The giggles and exclamations of joy were all the feedback we needed! Later on in the programme the children all had the chance to make their own animal mask of their favourite animal from the film and during the theatre workshop they learnt sounds and movements made by the animals. The game drives were very interactive activities with the children partaking in a scavenger hunt, collecting a variety of different seeds, flowers and natural medicines. On a morning game drive, the children were lucky enough to come across two very large male lions, which was a highlight for all, including the Headmaster as no one had seen a real lion before! Workshops focused on respect and responsibility, conservation, friendship and love and caring, particularly with regard to HIV/AIDS. There were some comical moments – Mason told us that the best thing about camp was seeing a “Muzungu” (white person) for the first time! On the last night the children told us what had meant the most to them. Constance loved the food and having enough food to eat and not feeling hungry. Ireddy loved sleeping in her own bed and wished she could sleep like that at home instead of sleeping on the mat with all the other children. She loved playing outdoors and feeling free. Hope, who had the most beautiful singing voice, told us that one day she wanted to come back and be camp manager of Lufupa Camp. Benard told us that he loved the game drive vehicles and wanted to be a guide or driver. I do believe that this programme not only benefited the children, but also teacher and headmaster and all the volunteers and staff involved in the programme. The teacher and headmaster pledged to take what they had learnt back to the school and to continue the good work with all their students. |
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 Tour de Kruger The annual Tour de Kruger fundraising cycle ride through Limpopo and Kruger National Park that took place in July 2007 was once again a huge success and doubled in size this year with 208 cyclists, a support staff of 100 and 58 back-up vehicles! The amount raised for Children in the Wilderness and Peace Parks Foundation reached over R1 million. We are looking forward to a fourth event next year with a new route that will incorporate Kruger and Pafuri (to be finalised). For further information go to www.tourdekruger.com The Angola-Botswana Expedition - May 2007 From the highlands in Angola to the sands in the Kalahari Desert, three expert guides – Rod Wilson, Clinton Edwards and Mark Hill – canoed 2000km down the length of the Okavango from its source on the Benguela Plateau in Angola across Namibia and into Botswana where it ends as the world-famous Okavango Delta. Challenging their willpower, uncharted waters, humidity and extreme heat to raise funds for Children in the Wilderness Botswana, these adventurous guides raised approximately US$10 000. From the Children in the Wilderness team we would like to thank Rod, Mark, Clinton and their families for this creative initiative to raise funds and awareness for our programme and an even bigger thank you to the individuals and companies who supported this Expedition both financially and in kind. |
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| CITW STAFF TRAINING It was also a good year for the Children in the Wilderness staff. All the various country representatives participated in a regional training event (CITW Powwow) in Johannesburg. It was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas with the programmes in other countries and develop a common vision. The outcomes of this Powwow included the formation of an educational advisory committee and the development of shared systems and resources. |
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| A CHRISTMAS GIFT WITH A CAUSE Matt Copham, one of our Wilderness Safaris specialist guides, has put together a magnificent 2008 Wildlife Calendar of his time in Botswana, with part of the proceeds of the sale of the calendar going to Children in the Wilderness. Cost of the calendar is R250 plus postage. If anyone is looking for a Christmas gift, this makes a great option. For further information email heatherw@wilderness.co.za |
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| FEEDBACK "This is one of your happiest boys, back home from Zambia. I had a great time with CITW Zambia, I am so happy and I don't know how to express myself as I can see I belong to this programme and I mean a lot to CITW. Everyone is proud of me and I am willing to share my experience with everyone because I have realised I can do it with the whole programme in my hands. I am so happy." Geoffrey Aupiti, Botswana Activity Coordinator Conclusion With the programme growing from strength to strength, we would like to take this opportunity once again to thank all our sponsors and supporters. Without you, none of this would have been possible. |
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| CHILDREN IN THE WILDERNESS CREATES A NETWORK OF LEARNING SANCTUARIES WHICH UPLIFT, CONSERVE AND CARE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR PLANET · How can I help? Visit our web page today and make a donation to Children in the Wilderness. · Visit our Photo Gallery · Unsubscribe from our mailing list · Contact us |
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| Until the next newsletter
Kind regards HEATHER WILSON : heatherw@wilderness.co.za
About Children in the Wilderness The Children in the Wilderness programme is dedicated to helping children whose childhoods have been disrupted by life-threatening conditions such as illness, extreme poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Using environmental education, therapeutic recreation and good old-fashioned fun, Children in the Wilderness opens up the minds of children, increases their self-esteem, builds and strengthens their capacities to cope with life’s challenges and educates them with the life skills necessary to actualise their greatest potential – and in the process, creating passionate environmentalists. |
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| CHILDREN IN THE WILDERNESS AIMS TO CREATE A NETWORK OF LEARNING SANCTUARIES THAT UPLIFTS , CONSERVES AND CARES FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR PLANET · How can I help? Visit our web page today and see how you can make a difference or make a donation to Children in the Wilderness. |