Climate Action South Africa Project #3013

Encourage children to care for the Environment

by DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage

Project Report | May 2, 2011
GlobalGiving Visits Daktari

By Jennifer Sigler | GlobalGiving Staff

I had an opportunity to spend a day and night at Daktari, visiting with Michelle Merrifield and her husband and counterpart Ian. This was truly an eye-opening experience for me, because I did not grow up with animals in my house. The closest thing I had to a pet was a goldfish in a tank that my brother, sister, and I foolishly tried to clean one night by refilling it in our bathtub, only to wake up the next morning to see that we had broken the seal of the tank and all 10 gallons had leaked onto the floor. Being surrounded by wild animals of all kinds, ostriches, warthogs, a leopard, a donkey, a porcupine, etc. was an entirely new experience for me.

That said, I am so grateful to have had the chance to spend time at Daktari and to learn so much about the good they are doing in their surrounding communities. Michelle and Ian use animals to educate children about life, caring for those that cannot help themselves (a lot of the animals came to the orphanage because they were injured in some way and left to be killed or experimented with), and social etiquette like politeness and being considerate of others. Every week Ian drives to a school that is more than an hour away to pick up a group of eight to ten 8^th grade students. The students spend a week “camping” out at Daktari, where they learn about wildlife, participate in classes about basic math and reading, and also discuss life issues like how to reject drugs and alcohol and practicing safe sex. Their days are packed with activity from a dog walk that starts at 7 a.m. to dinner that is complete by 8 p.m.

Volunteers help maintain the camp and also serve as coaches and mentors for the kids. Michelle and Ian also live on the bush school grounds, and they have visitors there 90% of the year. In 2010, kids were visiting 49 out of 52 weeks. Michelle and Ian exude passion and enthusiasm for the children they serve and the animals they care for that is contagious. It is clear that the kids and animals love them just as much. Michelle and Ian have literally given up all personal freedom and luxuries to fulfill their vision. Michelle, for example, moved from a big city in France to the wild, with no electricity, and the closest airport more than five hours away. What they have been able to build and maintain is really special and unique, and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to meet and spend time with them.

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Feb 22, 2011
Social talk with Daktari's children

By Ian and Michele Merrifield | Directors

Group picture

Dear sponsors,

Last week, Daktari was pleased to welcome Wilright, our local volunteer, for the next 4 weeks. He is invited to join us as a mediator between the volunteers and the students. He was one of the first children who came to Daktari five years ago when Daktari could only afford to invite local children for a weekend. Wilright has been really helpful during the lessons as some of the kids have difficulties to understand English.

During their week of environmental education, we also include social talks. One of them is about HIV/AID and, even with our local volunteer, Wilright, it was not that easy! During this talk, our international volunteers and Wilright contradicted each other. One of our students asked if it is dangerous for his health to have a relationship with a pregnant girl. Wilright answered that this kind of relation can ensue with disease for the man, above all if the girl is not his girlfriend. Although this is scientifically false, after long and interesting discussions with Wilright and the staff, this is a belief in their traditional culture. However, we had to tell the truth to the children. We tried to explain that sometimes cultural beliefs and science are contradictory. We understand and respect their culture however we need to explain to the children what is scientifically correct.

In all cultures, we can find beliefs that are not in accordance with science…

As a result, we figured out the volunteers really have to harmonize their speech and do not put the students in an awkward situation. It has definitely been an interesting experience that will be fruitful for the future, and making us realize that our local children need a lot of support in education in general.

Again, we thank you for your support and being a part of our project. Without your help we would not be able to achieve as much as we do.

Best regards.

Learning how to use a condom

Links:

Daktari's website

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Dec 13, 2010
Merry Christmas from all the Children at Daktari

By Ian and Michele Merrifield | Directors

The birth of Poncho, Chico's baby

Dear Supporters of Daktari,

The year 2010 is nearly finished and we welcomed, this week, our last group of Children.

To celebrate Christmas, we invited Children who have been with us in the past, and have created a wildlife club in their village. Along the year they have encouraged their friends, family and community to protect the environment. The message is passing through and all we have to do is to spread it to more and more children, which we will carry on to do from January 2011.

During this week we have celebrated Christmas and the joy of receiving from all of you, as we know that without your precious help, Daktari wouldn't exist. The children enjoyed the hot hours of the day in the Swimming Pool. Yes, summer in South Africa isn't under the snow but around the swimming pool!!!

The children went on a bush walk with Ian who reminded them about the trees and the animal tracks. At the time of their stay, the children had also the opportunity to experience a tracking of poachers by the South African police. Unfortunately, poaching still exists and Daktari has a lot of work to do, still, to convince the whole community of the importance of saving wildlife for their future. It was a favorable time to discuss solutions to stop poaching and everybody left with the promise to spread the word in the village.

On a more positive side, the children had also the chance to celebrate the birth of Chico's baby. Chico, our bushbaby, is living free around the camp for more than a year now. We didn't know if he/she was a male/female and therefore didn't know she was pregnant. What a surprise and an existing Christmas present Chico (renamed Chica) gave us.

We thank you all for your great generosity and for keeping us in your heart and thoughts.

From the sunny South African bush, we wish you a Merry Christmas.

The Children celebrating Christmas in the pool

Chico, our beloved bushbaby

Directors wishing you a Merry Christmas

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