Children in the Wilderness (CITW) has been running in the Bobirwa Region for seven years now. Since its inception, the focus was placed on the wildlife conservation and learning experiences offered at the annual CITW Camps held at Mashatu Game Reserve. We believe that most of the learning happens while children are in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, experiencing the wildlife first hand. This is where they have the opportunity to see and experience what they are being taught at school or at the Eco Clubs. CITW Bobirwa is currently working with schools, situated in close proximity to the Northern Tuli Game Reserve (Notugre). Mashatu Game Reserve kindly donated their Tent Camp to CITW Bobirwa again this year, hosting three camps back to back, in December.
The CITW Camps are about giving children an opportunity to learn about conservation and wildlife and to experience a protected wildlife area as if they were tourists. This enables them to understand the value of game reserves in the country, the value of the tourism industry, as well as learning about the available careers within these areas. The Bobirwa region currently hosts CITW camps for six local schools, namely Lentswe Le Moriti Primary School, Mothlabaneng Primary School, Mathathane Primary School, Gobojango Primary School, Mabolwe Primary School and Semolale Primary School.
During our camps, life-changing impressions are made by amazing wildlife sightings, fun learning activities and lessons, rounded off with wholesome food and a comfortable tent camp bed to sleep in. Every child isgiven the opportunity to learn about how the conservation of wildlife and the tourism industry can have a positive impact on their lives. The learning experiences include wildlife photography, tracking animals, anti-poaching presentations, educational videos, fun team building exercises, art projects and games. Game drives into the reserve are a highlight and this is where so much learning takes place.
In October 2017, Isabel Wolf-Gillespie joined the CITW Bobirwa team and with this, some expansion plans for 2018 are being put in place.
CITW Bobirwa started its expansion by involving in the Semolale/Mabolwe community, along the North-Western boundary of Notugre in the programme. Contact was made with the schools and funds were raised for the Semolale Pre-Primary Prize Giving and Year End Function. The children were asked to produce a drawing of their favorite wild animal the week before, and despite being so young, they delivered some pretty pictures of lions, birds and other animals. The aim of the function was to celebrate and highlight the importance of early childhood development. The nurturing of ethics and values around conservation and wildlife protection, should begin from an early age. As a successful start into the children’s primary school career, funding was sourced to purchase 47 fully waterproof school backpacks, handmade by women from a community initiative called Uzwelo, using only offcuts/recycled fabrics from the vinyl printing industry. 47 happy little learners each received a backpack as in incentive for their new school career.
CITW Bobirwa hopes to start a community based sewing and recycled jewellery making initiative, under Uzwelo guidance. This will generate income for women in the community, and the school bags proved great exposure for this project.
Through some generous used toy donations, made by children of agents, Intrepid Expeditions in the USA, we will be able to begin the new school year and CITW Eco Clubs with incentives which will hopefully also positively affect our club memberships. Additionally, soccer balls and used shoes from the Blue Sky Society Trust, as part of their soul 2 sole initiative, were donated to CITW Bobirwa.
CITW Bobirwa is also planning to increase the impact of the programme on teenagers and adults in the community, through empowering them in various ways. In line with CITW’s environmental and life skills educational programmess and as part of an extension to the Eco-Clubs, we aim to implement a mentorship/empowerment initiative for girls and young women by supplying and educating them in partnership with the Be Girl Menstrual initiative.
An exciting tree planting and tree protection project is on the agenda for 2018, which would be supported and managed by the Adult Eco-Club members, after attending an Eco-Mentor training workshop. Throughout the year, if sufficient funding can be sourced, we wish to host workshops on various important topics such as tourism, business enterprise, health, domestic welfare and others.
