Educate African Children about the environment

Dear friends,

With all the difficulties of the pandemic we are still making sure that we provide the local children with the Environmental Education our country needs. Despite many lockdowns,  we managed to welcome 103 students at DAKTARI so far. 

At the arrival of the children we conduct an assessment of their knowledge so we can adapt the week to their education level. 

The 11th of August, Moholoholo showed their support by inviting 6 children for a tour of their rehabilitation centre. Cost of transport was also sponsored by our returning volunteer Jeanne L. 

Outside excursions are organised when possible to show the children our appreciation/recognition towards their positive engagement during their week at DAKTARI. 

We keep improving our program thanks to our volunteers. Janis M, from Switzerland,  had the wonderful idea of creating educational cards to better the children’s understanding. This tool has a tremendous impact on the children’s learning experience.  

This month we started working with Leoma Secondary School which is located in a high risk poaching area. Our impact there will extend even more as soon as we will be able to start our Eco Club there.

The main activities we do with the children are:

• Morning dog walk as a warm up for everyone in the camp before starting our day.
• Animal care, cleaning the animal enclosures and feeding the animals while we make sure they are in a good condition.
• Social talks such as respect, politeness, substances abuse and safe sex.
• Bushwalk where the pupils learn about indigenous trees and animal tracks. 

Please click here to view our full program. You will see that there is not one minute lost for the children to learn and experience during the day! Do not hesitate to give us your feedback! 

We hope all is well on your side and thank you again for your trust and support.

Most of us are still suffering from the pandemic, which hit all of us without exception. We thought we would have to close our doors within 3 months because we did not think that everybody would suddenly start to care so much for each other.

Since last year March 20 we couldn’t welcome our local children for their environmental week of education anymore, or any international volunteers. However we still had to feed the animals, maintain employment, camp, program and all the things that give us a purpose in our lives: Educate and motivate South African local children to protect the environment!

YOU have helped us tremendously, through GlobalGiving, to be resilient. YOU have shown us your trust and support for a better world and we are happy to inform you that next week the 22nd of February, we will start operating and will welcome 6 children for the week. So far we welcomed 52 children from Maahlamele High School, with 42 for Environmental Education, and we also managed to organize a Game Drive for our winners (The students of the week) . It happened on the 09th May 2021.

Thanks to “YES 4 YOUTH” who have placed a number of youth who partake in work experience and learning. One of them is helping with teaching Environmental Education. This started on 04th May and will be for a 12 month period.

The Little x Little GlobalGiving campaign which happened from 8th to the 12th of March. All donations were matched at 50% (up to $50) and we managed to raise $1,026 which helped us to start welcoming students for Environmental Education.

Do you know you can also help us to welcome more children by volunteering with us? Consider enriching your life with a wonderful experience of sharing your knowledge with children, while discovering all our cute animals, all of that in the middle of nature. Check your travel permission obviously before travelling but know that South Africa is pretty up to date with health protocols! We breeze everyday through Mother Nature, so think about it!

I sincerely hope you are all healthy on your side and as positive as we all are here at DAKTARI.

Lots of love from DAKTARI and South Africa.