Kirsty van der Want

CITW Programme Trainer

Kirsty van der Want joined Wilderness Safaris in 2016 and on 1 November 2019 ‘crossed the floor’ from her Senior Marketing Services Consultant position to join Children in the Wilderness as Programme Trainer.

Kirsty’s extensive and impressive experience in the tourism and wildlife industry includes guiding, lodge management, field guide training and management, and project management and training. She has also been a guide assessor and an Environmental Protection Manager in Botswana.

CITW’s increasing focus on training teachers and mentors is core to its programme. Indeed, quality training is the very foundation of the CITW ‘pyramid’, and is fundamental to the strength of the pyramid.

Kirsty is currently completing Her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management, to add to all her other academic and practical qualifications.

In addition to her Consultant position at Wilderness Safaris, Kirsty has already been an informal member of CITW for the last two years, volunteering on CITW Johannesburg Eco-Clubs and working the Support Desk on the Nedbank Tour de Tuli.

“I am very excited to be joining the CITW Team”, says Kirsty.  “I have two major life passions, both with equal standing. The first is to protect the biodiversity of our planet as whole, whilst not forgetting the incredible beauty and importance of the individual species that make up the whole. The second is to help people understand that they have intrinsic value, and by knowing this they will recognise their potential to positively impact the world around them.   I believe that these align perfectly with the vision of CITW.  In my new position, I hope to contribute meaningfully by engaging with the teachers and mentors in this regard, so that together we can empower the children to become loyal and passionate custodians of our planet”.