Franco Morao

In 2002 Wilderness Safaris ran the Children in the Wilderness (CITW) programme in Namibia for the first time. The first camp was run in partnership with the SOS Children Village Association, a privately owned children’s orphanage in Windhoek. I was one of the older youths selected as tent leaders – that is, counsellors that stay with a group of kids inside one of the tents. For me to have started with Children in the Wilderness was the most amazing opportunity ever!

We were hosted at Kulala Wilderness Camp. This overwhelmed me because most of us had never had such an opportunity to learn about the environment by being in the wilderness itself. I was brought up in a very enclosed environment, so that the only life I knew was that within the orphanage. When I saw the open spaces I realised that this was where I wanted to be. I had found a new family. Where there was a sanctuary and where everyone always feels welcome.

Being part of Children in the Wilderness inspired me so much that I wanted to be part of the company Wilderness Safaris. Over the years I remained involved with Children in the Wilderness and through this, I got the opportunity to join Wilderness Safaris Namibia as a guide in training. I am now a guide at a Wilderness Safaris Camp and am also a CITW Programme Coordinator during the four camps we host every year in Namibia.

Namibia has many children like me. Children in the Wilderness can make them feel rich in fortune.

Everyone has dreams. For me my dream was and still is to be a successful ambassador for my country. I can achieve this through Children in the Wilderness and Wilderness Safaris Namibia, both of which have helped me so much.