An opportunity not to be missed! The Trust spent two unforgettable days at the College to attend the “highlight event of the year”, the very special Wildlife Area Management student dinner, followed by the student graduation the next day. The College was a buzz of activity, and the students’ sense of whole-hearted excitement, pride and achievement after a year dedicated to learning was exhilarating for us as guests to experience. This was an opportunity for us to meet the five enthusiastic and grateful bursary and scholarship recipients sponsored by the Trust in 2017, as well as meet the three new scholarship recipients for 2018. To hear about each of their trials, successes and dreams, before they take the two-day trip home to their families and conservation workplaces across southern Africa.
The visit to the College also gave us the chance to view their extensive Phase II and eco-friendly developments, underway since 2015 and now nearing completion. The College is located in the Greater Kruger Park…need one say more for nature lovers such as ourselves! A joy and privilege to be a part of the extended “family” and friends of the College which does truly remarkable work impacting conservation across southern Africa.
As visitors to the College we had the opportunity to interact with both the staff and students and gain keen insight to the challenges and threats being faced by conservationists. In addition, we were given hands-on exposure to the different projects including the Bathawk aerial patrol project and the anti-poaching canine training unit. We were also treated to an early morning and sunset game-drive in this heart of the “bush veld”.
Our fundraiser, with the support of our administrator, WWF-SA, has been researching fiscal agents abroad as avenues to secure future funding. While we are most appreciative of the support we received, the two funding campaigns which ran earlier this year did not meet with the hoped for responses and costs and alternatives are being explored.
Our sincere thanks to these donors as we acknowledge their recent valued support:
Mr Edward Saunders, the FC Carter Charitable Trust, The Ton Vosloo Trust, Mr Peter Sullivan, Mr Christopher Beatty, Sentinel International Trust, Joan St Leger Lindbergh Charitable Trust, and Dr Surandar Singh.
To confront the daunting changes in our natural world, people everywhere must take part. We are committed to our work, of nurturing and strengthening nature and wildlife conservation leadership for today and tomorrow. Investing in conservation in perpetuity via the Trust, provides future generations with the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful natural heritage. A living legacy well worth considering!
For more information kindly contact our fundraiser, Janet Wakelin, at SAWCTfundraiser@sawc.org.za or call on 082 924 3749.
