CC Africa's Conservation Lessons Excite Community Children- Listen, Learn, Conserve
01 Feb 2008
Tomorrow's natural resources will stand a better chance of survival if today's children are educated on how to conserve Africa's precious wilderness areas. Conservation Corporation Africa (CC Africa)has sustained its unique and successful Conservation Lessons programme through the ongoing sale of WILDCHILD wristbands, available at all of CC Africa's luxurious safari lodges for a mere R50 or USD10 each. The purchase of a khaki WILDCHILD wristband - inscribed with the words Listen, Learn, Conserve - covers the costs for one child from CC Africa's neighbouring communities to experience an exciting full-day's Conservation Lesson with expert guides at one of CC Africa's pristine wilderness reserves.
To date, the sale of these wristbands has raised R420 000 (USD60 000) which has supported Conservation Lessons for the past three years, and enabled thousands of children from local communities to participate in this exciting programme. The goal is to instil in the children joy, respect and understanding of the natural resources around them. Despite living in such close proximity to conservation areas, many local children have never had the chance to experience what attracts guests to CC Africa's reserves. Thus, environmental awareness lessons give local children the opportunity to experience the natural heritage of their country which helps to bring about positive change in attitudes, increased responsibility and awareness of the value of conservation and tourism.
CC Africa, in close partnership with Africa Foundation - their social development partner- helps sponsor these Conservation Lessons which are conducted by professional CC Africa-trained rangers and trackers. Together they have the necessary infrastructure to deliver stimulating environmental lessons with ease. On arrival at the lodge, the children enjoy a healthy lunch, followed by interesting talks and quizzes before embarking on an interpretive game drive. Specially designed Conservation Lessons workbooks are distributed to the children and other activities centred on conservation issues are arranged. According to James Currie, Director of Africa Foundation: "Seeing the delight on the faces of children, many of whom have just met their animal neighbours for the first time reinforces the benefits of including rural communities in Africa's conservation process.
CC Africa's Conservation Lessons programme is living proof that, through inclusion, our children will become the custodians of our protected areas. This programme is CC Africa and Africa Foundation’s longest running project, and over 6 500 children have benefited." With the wristbands on display at all of CC Africa's lodge Safari Shops, guests have been enchanted by the concept and fully support the programme. At Phinda Forest Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, one guest was so inspired that he purchased all 50 wristbands in stock. Today's WILDCHILD is tomorrow's guardian of Africa's wilderness. WILDCHILD wristbands are also available for purchase on guestshopping@ccafrica.com.
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