Bobirwa Cluster Eco-Camp 2017 – Children in the Wilderness

In 2017 photographer Angelica Mills and CITW Bobirwa had the great good fortune to meet each other! Our Bobirwa Cluster annual camp at Mashatu was her first time volunteering as an Eco-Mentor, and here she shares a few wonderful memories from this watershed experience.

“Believe in your strength to change the world”. Doesn’t this image capture the very essence of our eco-education and life skills programme… a future wilderness leader reflecting on a day filled with learning and fun.

This little boy stole my heart, and this is one of the many reasons why: “The most important thing I learnt about poaching is that it is a bad moral and it is the first time to learn about poaching. Wilderness areas are important because they protect wild animals against poachers. When I finish school, I want to be president. I will make a difference to the world by taking Botswana out of poverty”. – Wetsho Kopane Moleofe

At Children in the Wilderness, we create an uplifting and positive environment. We make the children feel safe and loved. It’s an environment where we praise any achievement; it’s not about good grades but rather little things such as being kind, a good dancer or singer, an artist… absolutely anything. As you watch the children unfold and grow as individuals so you grow and learn from them too. I wish every day could be like that.

Little Suzi smiling at the camera after they have conquered the spider web as a team. She was a Super Camper and loved to sing to her mentors.

Team challenges are some of my favourite, yet challenging, activities to photograph during camp. The children learn about teamwork and communication, two crucial components for the success of almost everything in life.

On the last morning of camp, the children each receive a knitted bear from the Mother Bear Project. The bears come all the way from America. I love how each bear is uniquely made, just as each of the children is different and unique in their own way.

Game drives with the children are my favourite. It is the time that you bond the most and at the same time learn so much about wildlife and nature from the guides. Some things I will never forget.

Beautiful little Precious. She was one of the brightest and most diligent children I’ve ever met. An absolute pleasure to see her grow and lead her fellow campers!

“Your destiny is to fulfil those things upon which you focus most intently. So, choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting and joyful”. – Ralph Marston.

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