CITW Provides Ongoing Food Relief to Zambezi Communities

As part of its ongoing Conservation Heroes COVID-Relief drive in the Zambezi region, Children in the Wilderness (CITW), Wilderness Safaris’ non-profit partner, distributed another 250 food parcels in August to vulnerable families, the elderly, and child-headed households in six of its partner communities. Valued at USD10 000, this generous donation – thanks to the Wilderness Safaris Chairman’s Foundation – has positively impacted 1 510 people from the following regions in Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls, Hwange, Tsholotsho and Bulawayo, as well as Sinde and Livingstone in Zambia.   

Despite food shortages in Zimbabwe causing many products to disappear off the shelves, CITW’s food parcels contain one month’s worth of essential items, including mealie meal, rice, sugar beans and porridge, as well as matches and soap. Since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown in March, CITW has been providing additional support to its community partners through the provision of food relief, hygiene products as well as educational assistance in the form of student allowances, positively impacting some 5 700 people in 18 villages.

“With tourism being the predominant source of income in these villages, the challenges brought about by the pandemic have been particularly difficult, and have motivated us to raise crucial funds to help particularly vulnerable families. We have made significant progress and are determined to continue helping our most valued stakeholders, the communities”, notes Sue Goatley, Children in the Wilderness Zambezi Programme Coordinator.

“Thanks to an amazing donation from our Chairman’s Foundation, we have been able to commit to contributing USD10 000 to our community partners for the next three months. This ongoing commitment is crucial to ensure that our communities come out of this pandemic as best possible”, she adds.

“COVID-19 has affected everyone in the world, and calls for us to collectively assist our neighbouring, and most vulnerable, communities. With our long-standing partnership with these communities, we didn’t hesitate to assist in any way possible. While we realise that there is still a long way to go in combating the challenges of the pandemic, we also acknowledge that a little can go a long way. We will continue working with CITW to support our communities during this difficult time”, concludes Dean Morton, Wilderness Safaris Zambezi Operations Manager.

Watch this inspiring video of the food handover at Jabulani Primary School on Monday, 31 August 2020

SUPPORT OUR CONSERVATION HEROES

~ Wilderness Safaris COVID Relief ~

The impact of COVID-19 in Africa has been profound – particularly on wildlife conservation and rural communities dependent on tourism. Please join us to support our Conservation Heroes. Together we are stronger, and together, we can continue to change lives. It only costs USD50 to feed a family for a month. Or USD5 000 to cover the monthly operations of an anti-poaching team. Every single contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a significant difference. 

To learn more about Wilderness Safaris COVID relief efforts, click here

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