By Michele Merrifield | Co-Founder
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. The pandemic has been an incredible lesson of life driving us to all sorts of plans to survive.
Since 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!
A great success of our program is that last year there was a 450% increase in the awareness of the importance of Eco-Tourism industry. This means that most of our local children did not know they could directly benefit from protecting their environment and get employment opportunity in the future! The best of it is that more children we welcome more WE will all benefit.
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 again and will welcome 5 children for the week.
My mother always told me in French "who goes slowly, goes surely"! I never forget this and this is why we are managing your donations so they can last for as long as possible, slowly but surely until the pandemic is over and we can rely on a more stable income.
YOU have given us faith for the future and this is why we can carry on with our mission. Thank you!
If things are going better as well on your side, you are welcome to participate in the Little x Little GlobalGiving campaign from the 8 to the 12th of March where all donations will be match at 50% (up to $50).
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.
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By Marie Bauvin | Project Leader
By Marie Bauvin | Project Leader
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