In 2018 the Haagvalken family were guests of Wilderness Vumbura Plains, where they had the opportunity to engage with the nearby community. Beetsha Primary was one of the schools they visited, and the family was inspired to support the school through our Children in the Wilderness programme.
Accordingly, they made a donation for the construction of a poultry enclosure and garbage pit at the school. In 2019 CITW Botswana submitted plans to the Okavango Sub-District Council in Shakawe and towards the end of that year, the projects were given the green light. Unfortunately, with the uncertainty that COVID-19 brought, the projects were put on hold until things came back to normal.
Finally, on the 6th of February 2022, the CITW team embarked on a trip to Beetsha to kick start the poultry enclosure project, with the construction being partly completed the following day.
The poultry project, which will be managed by the school’s Eco-Club members and co-ordinators, will benefit the whole school, as they are taught about chicken production in Agriculture. In addition, the Adult Eco-Club in Beetsha will be assisting the Eco-Club during the school holidays.
With Beetsha being situated in a remote, rural area, the people living here struggle with the supply of eggs and chicken meat. We are thus optimistic that this project will not only benefit the school but also the community.
The next stage will be the installation of chicken cages and shade net, as well as planting combinations of vegetation, such as mother-in-law’s-tongue (Sansevieria) and marigolds, which together will make an effective snake-repellent around the chicken enclosure.
The entire Children in the Wilderness Botswana team would like to extend its special gratitude to the Haagvalken Family, the Ministry of Basic Education, the Okavango Sub-District Council (Shakawe), Okavango Wilderness Safaris, Beetsha Primary School management, Eco-Club Co-ordinator, Mr Lesego Sediegeng and the Parent-Teacher Association for the amazing support and work they offered to make sure that this project is completed.
By Kelebogile “Kelly” Baitshoki, CITW Assistant Administrator, Botswana
