OUTREACH PROJECTS

Conservation in Africa is fast becoming unsustainable without the active involvement of its communities - especially the citizens and communities who live alongside the parks' and reserves' boundaries. These people can be the most cunning poachers or the finest gamekeeper, depending on how they are treated. Often parks are created without any participation whatsoever by people living in or around a proclaimed wildlife area. Long-term conservation of Africa's resources has to take the needs of its people into account, including issues such as the alleviation of poverty, job creation and the formulation of life skills.

School Projects:

Many of the rural schools are under-funded and are chronically overcrowded. Quite often one will find up to 100 learners in one classroom, and that classroom will have no desks or chairs! Poverty in these remote and rural areas is being perpetuated through inadequate schooling and school facilities.

Wilderness Safaris and Children in the Wilderness want to initiate programmes where interested donors adopt a school. We already have two donors who have taken up the challenge and have agreed to help sponsor two schools. The donors' money will go to help upgrade the schools' facilities.

These programmes work well elsewhere where Wilderness Safaris operates and the school and its learners prosper in spite of their dire situation. We aim to create model schools

THE MKAMBATI JUNIOR SCHOOL BRUNA ZACKS PROJECT

Thanks to the many sponsors who have donated to the Bruna Zacks fund, the Mkambati Junior school has gone from being 48 square metres now to 225 square metres of classroom under roof. This school houses 300 learners! We have also just delivered desks and chairs for many of the learners

This is an ongoing project and the the school is still lacking infrastructure including toilets and running water. Once the building has been completed, we will look to see how further we can improve the existing facilities

The children were so keen to get the school up and running that they have been assisting with carrying the roof planks for the builders. The teachers are extremely excited for the completion of the school.