David Creecy the CEO of GSD recently completed the Tour de Tuli cycle ride through Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa to raise funds for Children in the Wilderness.

Children in the Wilderness is an environmental and life skills educational programme that focuses on the next generation of rural decision makers. It is one of the few programmes aimed at bridging the divide that exists between communities and wildlife.

“It was a fantastic event that combines all aspects of good fundraising. Certainly not an event to be missed if you are a keen mountain biker as we had the incredible opportunity to ride through amazing wild areas and scenic National Parks while at the same time raising funds for a worthy non-profit organisation.”

David pictured here on the banks of the Limpopo crossing back into South Africa from Zimbabwe after 4 days of hard riding.

So where to now?

Children in the Wilderness hosts vulnerable, rural children that live alongside the Parks and Reserves and teaches them the importance of conservation . The Children in the Wilderness programme aims to develop environmental leaders who are inspired to care for their heritage so that they become the custodians of these areas in the future. Children in the Wilderness exposes children to their wildlife heritage, builds and strengthens their capabilities to cope with life's challenges and educates them with the life skills necessary to actualise their greatest potential.

GENERAL AIMS:

In a nutshell, Children in the Wilderness aims are to:

• Instil a sense of hope and teach life skills necessary to achieve their greatest potential.
• Increase involvement in the children’s cultural heritage.
• Mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS and reduce vulnerability of our children.
• Develop personal and interpersonal skills including leadership and teamwork.
• Develop creativity and increase confidence and self-esteem for personal growth and development.
• Develop as positive role models in our local schools and communities.
• Improve gender relations and promote gender equality.
• Support learning programmes at schools and motivate our children to commit to lifelong education.
• Increase awareness of employment opportunities within the tourism industry.

 

The costs of the Children in the Wilderness programme are understandably high, as the programme must fund operational costs (i.e. the cost of each camp programme), follow-up programme costs and finally salaries for its staff. The costs of each camp include transport, fuel, concession fees, food, and activity materials. Wilderness Safaris covers some of these camp costs and is perhaps the largest contributor to the costs of Children in the Wilderness, but outside of this support CITW is actively involved in fundraising exercises, most notably the annual Tour de Wilderness cycle tours. The source of funds outside of Wilderness Safaris is relatively evenly split between corporate donors such as banks and other large institutions, fundraising events and also individuals – the latter category mostly comprising guests at Wilderness Safaris camps