Children in the Wilderness (CITW) has partnered with the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) to provide opportunities for CITW participants to build on their conservation and environmental education by attending a six-month bridging course.
Last week, CITW Botswana worked with the students selected as beneficiaries for the 2017 bridging course, to complete all required documents for their visa applications. The students arrived at the Wilderness Safaris office in Maun from their respective villages, eager and excited to get the ball rolling for their time at SAWC.
2017 Beneficiaries from Botswana – Kemelo Kopano, Gagoope Monnafela, Naledi Kgoba (2016 SAWC Student), Keikantse Tlale and Kaone Samakata
The bridging course, entitled: “Youth Access Conservation and Environmental Education” exposes school-leavers to theory and practical application of environmental education and the life of a field ranger in a conservation area. Learners attend the SAWC for four months, following which they are work-placed with host conservation organisations in nature reserves for two months, for post-training experiential learning. This provides them with first-hand experience and a real understanding of a career in nature conservation.
Naledi Kgoba was first involved with CITW as an Eco-Club member and camper while he was in school. He now volunteers as an Eco-Mentor on CITW camps, and last year was a beneficiary of a bursary from SAWC. Naledi continues to do CITW proud, as he helped welcome this year’s SAWC beneficiaries to Maun. He briefed them on his background and his experience of the course with SAWC. He advised the students to stay focused and work hard. He mentioned that even if it is challenging, giving up is not an option as life is not as easy as it looks. He encouraged them to mingle with other candidates from other countries so that they can also learn from them.
We wish the four students from Botswana well as they prepare for their time at the Southern African Wildlife College.
