Jobs for 15 Women in South Africa, for Elephants!

Dear Friends,

Our partners in South Africa have been busy! Back in February, South Africa’s Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces (where the HERD sanctuary is located) experienced extreme flooding that swept away major roads and bridges across the region. At HERD, power, water, and drainage systems were damaged, and the fields of Bana grass used to feed the elephants were overrun with weeds. The JabuLadies set aside their normal duties of crafting items for HERD’s gift shop and went to work repairing the damage. 

They weeded and restored more than 7 acres of Bana grass, which are critical for feeding the 20 elephants housed at the sanctuary. They also repaired main roads needed for delivering food and supplies. Thankfully, HERD’s sanctuary is mostly back to normal, and no one (elephants or people) was hurt.

In March, the ladies began preparing for the upcoming busy season at the HERD guest lodge. They made 130 luggage tags, 158 bookmarks, and 120 bracelets. Proceeds from the sale of these items provide living wages for the ladies and support HERD’s operations. 

One woman, Khensani Zitha, shared what this work means to her: “Finishing a bookmark or bracelet and knowing it has value makes me feel proud and happier at work. Earning commission for something I made myself has made me feel more independent. It’s not just a handout. It’s income from my own skills”.

By supporting this project, you are helping women in South Africa learn valuable skills and earn a living wage. This initiative fights poverty and helps women build dignity in a place where 30-50% of people are without work — and it all benefits orphaned elephants. 

Thank you for being part of this project. We are grateful you have chosen to become part of Women for Conservation’s community. 

With gratitude,

Libby Henrickson

Global Conservation Programs Coordinator