Thanks to the generous support of family, friends and clients of Infinite Safari Adventures the Infinite Safari Foundation in its first year, raised over $12,000.00 to donate to various educational, humanitarian and conservation projects throughout Africa. This year’s recipients of Foundation grants are:
Brilliant Beauty College
Working with DK Grand Safaris, Infinite Safari Adventures’ wonderful ground partner in Kenya, we have learned of a project that DK and its owner Daniel Kikemu are involved in. Brilliant Beauty Collegeprovides quality training in the field of hairdressing and beauty to underprivileged youth in Kenya. The goal is to make a difference in society by changing the lives of these students for the better through the program. 99% of the students are young girls, who have completed secondary/primary school and cannot afford university/secondary fees and the chances are they might end up, being married, getting pregnant, or working as house nannies instead of trying to make a better life for themselves. Through DK, the Infinite Safari Foundation has made a donation to underwrite the entire tuition for a student and allow this deserving student to build a lifetime career and a chance to succeed in life.
The Cheetah Conservation Fund
As a member of the board of directors of CCF I have an intimate knowledge of the great work that CCF does throughout Africa. With only about 6500 cheetahs left in the wild, the Cheetah Conservation Fund is dedicated to not only saving cheetahs but educating the world about human/wildlife conflict and living together with animals throughout Africa. Their efforts have included the livestock guarding dog program and relocating cheetahs to India to populate an area that has not seen cheetahs in over 75 years. CCF is also actively involved in stopping the illegal wildlife trade of importation of captured cheetah cubs to the middle east by assisting in interdicting the cubs in Somaliland and creating a sanctuary for the rescued cubs. Their philosophy is to “change the world to save the cheetah.” The monies donated by the Foundation will be used as a matching challenge grant to continue the initiatives that are going on to save the cheetah. You can learn more at cheetah.org.
Conservation South Luangwa
South Luangwa is an incredible national park in Zambia. Known for its abundant wildlife including wild dogs and leopards, Infinite Safari Adventures sends many clients there. We want to make sure that the park stays a successful place for wildlife. CSL works in partnership Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). There are over 1,400,000 hectares (almost 3,500,000 acres)to protect. Monies are going to be used to support the local vet who devotes his time in the park and to purchase a much needed laptop. You can learn more at Conservation South Luangwa.
Ogulului Rangers
The Olgulului Rangers, supported in part by IFAW (International Fund For Animal Welfare) are dedicated to protecting iconic wildlife and provide security for local Maasai communities. Monitoring over 367,625 acres of land, this initiative connects local Maasai communities, conservancies, and the OCWR Rangers to form a network of eyes and ears to protect the ecosystem’s iconic wildlife from poaching and other threats. Recently this area was devastated by floods from torrential rains that fell after experiencing a severe drought. Monies to the rangers will be. Used to help out the dedicated rangers to as they struggle to do the work they are doing while dealing with their own personal trials and tribulations. The Amboseli ecosystem and is critical habitat for elephants, lions, giraffes, and other migratory animals. The rangers includesOlgulului’s first female rangers, known as Team Lioness. See more at Team Lioness
Reach The World
Reach The World’s mission is to connect students in K-12 classrooms virtually with people throughout the world to allow them to learn about a variety of important issues. They have had video links with the expedition that located Ernest Shackleton’s ship, people sailing around the world and those stationed in Antarctica. RTW uses the web, messaging and video conferencing to connect students with travelers through global, virtual exchanges. The Foundation has underwritten RTC’s goal is to get a number of classrooms throughout the world to participate in learning about Cheetahs, the issues of human/wildlife conflict and how CCF is addressing these with its livestock guard dog program and other initiatives. There will be several video presentations, logbooks and journals for the students to look at, and other materials to get students excited about cheetahs. This will lead up to a February broadcast with Dr. Laurie Marker live from CCF in Namibia. Learn more at Reach The World
SEKA Educational Theater
While in Zambia with clients I had the opportunity to witness a performance of the SEKA Educational Theater. I was blown away by their creativity, cleverness and ability to get their message across through laughter. Seka has a reputation among the communities in the areas for bringing a sense of fun to the serious issues that people face. The fun is not just for its own sake – it enables people to feel more empowered to take on the issues that face them. The troupe have tackled the problems of elephants raiding gardens, HIV/AIDS education, children’s rights, litter and natural resource management, among others. Each performance leads to action – as people discuss solutions to the challenges raised, and draw up plans to make change happen. The Foundation’s donation is going to support the actors and cover transportation costs for traveling to local communities. Learn more at SEKA
Saving The Survivors
This year Infinite Safari Adventures took two groups to the Marataba Conservancy to sedate and collar Rhinos in an effort to prevent poaching. The veterinarian who we worked with, Johan Marais, heads an organization called Saving The Survivors. This mission of Saving The Survivors is to Saving The Survivors is to treat and care for rhino, elephant, lion and other African wildlife that have fallen victim to poaching or traumatic incidents. This has included to literally rebuilding the face of Seha whose face was hacked off by poachers with a machete. Ready to go on moment’s notice Dr. Marais travels all over the continent to do this invaluable work. Learn more at Saving The Survivors
