CHILDREN IN THE WILDERNESS NEWSLETTER - EDITION 1

June 2005

Children in the Wilderness has completed a very successful 2004/5 season. With camps operating in Botswana, Malawi and Namibia, this season we have hosted 1328 "children in camp" nights.

This year was Malawi's second year of running Children in the Wilderness camps . The biggest leaps were in the areas of program development and counsellor capacity.  Our  partnerships with the orphan centres  have been strengthened through positive, enthusiastic chaperones, and the potential for  successful follow-up program is enormous.  

Lonjezo Madyero is 13  year old who visited a  Children in the Wilderness camp, in Mvuu, Malawi  Both of her parents have passed away and she lives with relatives in close proximity to Liwonde National Park. Due to poverty, there is poaching within the park from the local communities. Whilst at the Children in the Wilderness camp, Lonjezo learned about the importance of wildlife to the environment and to Malawi’s economy. The camps within the park employ many people from her village, and visitors to the park bring money to the area. Lonjezo realized that income generating activities like the “Liwonde Ladies” arts and crafts project helps to raise funds for the community and creates harmony between the communities and the national parks. Lonjenzo's favourite activities became the game and boat drives, and since the camps she has joined her school wildlife club.

In Botswana, we operated the children's camps at both Jacana and Kaparota Camps, in the Okavango Delta. The exciting news is that we saw the return of a past participant of one of the previous Children in the Wilderness camps. A few years ago, Children in the Wilderness, Botswana hosted a group of street children. Mox, lived on the streets and was lucky enough to be selected to participate in the programme. On completing the Children in the Wilderness camp, Mox decided to return to school in Maun and complete his education. This year, Mox returned to Jacana Camp in a new role, as a Children in the Wilderness tent leader. It was wonderful to see his development and above all his enthusiasm for life's opportunities.

Camp Director ,Sunday Nelenge explains that the goal of Children in the Wilderness, Namibia is to create opportunities for orphaned and vulnerable Namibian children, to learn and grow as future guardians of their unique natural and cultural heritage. This is done by facilitating opportunities for them to be exposed to diverse natural wilderness habitats and a safe, supportive and creative learning environment. The Children in the Wilderness programme is now in the third year of operation in Namibia. Three camps were run at Rhino Camp in the Palmwag Concession Area during the January holidays. This luxury-tented camp of Wilderness Safaris, in partnership with Save the Rhino Trust was closed to guests for a 3-week period and the staff and facilities made entirely available for the duration of the children’s stay. In addition to specially trained Wilderness Safaris staff, local teachers and volunteers assisted in running the well-structured educational programme that includes environmental education, life skills workshops (including HIV/AIDS and first aid), arts and crafts, sports and leadership and teambuilding activities.The Namibian programmes hosted approximately 61 children from all over the country, including Kunene, Onhangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto and Erongo regions, most of whom are orphans or come from disadvantaged rural communities. The children attending the camps were aged between the  12 and 16 years.

Children in the Wilderness, Namibia is planning on hosting another 48 children in June this year

In June and July this year, many of the Children in the Wilderness, camp directors and staff are participating in a staff exchange programme with the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps. Children in the Wilderness staff will visit camps in Ireland and the USA. Here they will spend a week being mentored by the expert staff of these camps and hopefully will arrive home with many new ideas and skills.

Once again, we would like thank you all for your continued support We have no doubt that we are having a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of many children.

To end a quote from  Sophie Mabukane

"A land of life, a land of joy and fresh air. As I came across this beautiful land I realised that many things are different and a lot more is mavelas this made me realise that I can change the world around. Yes so I came to Jacana a place of joy and of passion. As I realized that nature is the best thing to live on. Although I stayed in the middle of the nature I understood that to live in an environment like nature you have to preserve the environment. As for those who in town, please I do ask you as a member of the kids of Bana Ba Naga to preserve towns as they are still nature"

CHILDREN IN THE WILDERNESS CREATES A NETWORK OF LEARNING SANCTUARIES THAT UPLIFTS, CONSERVES AND CARES FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR PLANET.