Sister Grace donating a blanket made by the Knitting Club of Vaalwater
Would you be able to raise funds to buy wool for to the Vaalwater Knitting Club? The Waterberg Trust is launching a project to knit navy blue and black beanies for children to wear to school.
To date, knitting club members have been making much needed blankets, and clothes for children who need to keep warm over the South African winter as temperatures in the Waterberg can drop below freezing at night.
Sister Grace distributing packs of Dignity Dreams eco-sanitary pads in secondary schools of the Waterberg, in the Limpopo Province South Africa
School nurse Sister Grace reports “The last quarter of the year was quite hectic for learners and teachers as they had to prepare for their final exams. Grade 12’s went to educational camps and other grades were assessed before promoting them to the next grade. Teachers attended various workshops about examination invigilating, moderating of learner files and team building.“
Sister Grace also got involved in providing learners with pre-examination counseling to ensure they felt less anxious during exams. “Those who performed well progressed to the next grade.”
SCHOOL REPORT FROM NOVEMBER 2023- JANUARY 2024
The Matric results for the Vaalwater Circuit released on 19th January 2024 were lower than the previous year:
Leseding High School – 84.3%
Meetsetshehla High School – 57.8%
Mohlakamotala High School – 77.3%
Moshia High School – 17.5%
Waterberg pupils who did well in their 2023 Matriculation exams winning prizes and awards
HOWEVER, THERE WAS PROGRESS:
All schools managed to write their final exams without interruptions
Educational camps helped some learners to catch up
Average Matric learners will have access to financial support to start their dream careers, enabling them to gain skills at vocational institutions
Buses continue to transport learners to school free of charge
Sister Grace continues to distribute donated sanitary pads to girls, clothes to disadvantaged learners and the elderly in the community
ON-GOING CHALLENGES:
Lack of learning resources in some schools
Under performed results for matriculants in 2023
Leaners affected by the relocation of teachers to other schools
Poverty and lack of parental support
Teenage pregnancy and substance abuse
Learners repeating the same classes
STATISTICS:
TOTAL NUMBER OF LEARNERS SEEN INDIVIDUALLY BY THE SCHOOL NURSE FROM NOVEMBER TO JANUARY: 145
SOCIAL PROBLEMS – 55
MEDICAL ISSUES – 25
MINOR COMPLAINTS – 30
PREGNANT – 5
REFERRED FOR CONTRACEPTIVES – 30
Sister Grace donating nappies for a baby born to a teenager mother
Sister Grace conducted home visits to address various issues faced by learners by involving their parents and guardians and to check the wellbeing of new born babies and their moms. “My involvement in schools has yielded a strong and positive impact among learners, teachers and the community.“
However, we look back on 2023with gratitude:
Keeping girls in school: As the year opened, TWT was able to give every girl entering secondary school a pack of washable eco-sanitary pads that should last them until they leave school and help them to avoid missing lessons.
A letter from a schoolgirl thanking donors for her washable eco-sanitary pads
Keeping four school vegetable gardens: Amazing supplies were delivered to the Waterberg by Andrew Smith of Environmental Impact Services who also sponsored the school vegetable gardens with seedlings, compost, shade netting and tools. This was a huge encouragement to pupils and staff.
Kind donations from TWT sponsors EIMS
The Environmental Club, supervised by Sister Grace, grows food for school feeding schemes.
A TWT School Vegetable Garden sponsored by EIMS
Save the Waterberg Rhino has been supported by funds donated in the UK
Sponsoring a promising student Elton Chitanda, enabling him to take a degree in computer studies at Eduvos University in Gauteng – read more on this website here.
Elton with his recent certificates
School nurse, Sister Grace continued her duties, checking newborn babies and helping the mothers with advice and practical aid.
Sister Grace monitoring the wellbeing of a newborn baby
Pupils Health Education has continued with talks for school children
Learners attending the TB Awareness Campaign in the Waterberg
Sister Grace has also been helping the homeless, including vagrants in need of psychiatric help, and families who lost their homes to fire.
200 TWT Food parcels have been distributed to needy families with beneficiaries sending relatives to collect their groceries put together by volunteers.
In partnership with St John’s Church ‘Acts of Mercy’ initiative, Sister Grace has distributed items of clothing and household essentials donated locally.
Clothes being donated to grandmothers in the Waterberg
Donated items benefit the elderly, teenage mothers and neglected children
The Knitting Club in Vaalwater have provided endless homemade woolens and blankets.
Warm baby clothes donated to teenage mothers in school
The charity fundraising event of the year was the Cambridge and Bedfordshire sponsored bike ride held in May. Another is planned for the second week of Saturday 11th May 2024. Please let us know in the comments below if you are interested in joining us.
A great team of cyclists gathered on Saturday 15th May to raise funds for The Waterberg Trust
TWT are planning a bike ride in the Waterberg from 1st to 8th February 2025 that will enable donors to visit the projects.
On 20th April 2024 – one of the South Africa trustees is running the 25 kilometer Oxpecker Ultra Run near Spioenkop in the northern Drakensberg.
You can support this valuable work by donating on Justgiving here and we detail other ways of donating on The Waterberg Trust website here.
The Waterberg Trust is governed by a team of trustees in the UK who meet four times a year and raise funds to finance the projects in the Waterberg.
ROUTINE TASKS AND INTERVENTIONS – REACHING OUT TO THE NEEDY THROUGH:
HOME VISITS TO IDENTIFY THOSE IN NEED
PRE NATAL AND POST NATAL VISITS
FOOD PARCEL DISTRIBUTION
DONATING CLOTHES, BEDDING AND SANITARY PADS
A family receiving donations
TREATMENT SUPPORT AND HEALTH EDUCATION FOR FAMILIES AND THE ELDERLY
TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS
WE MANAGED TO HELP A SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL MAN TO GET MEDICAL HELP AND TREATMENT. AT FIRST, HE WAS UNAPPROACHABLE AND SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME BESIDE THE ROAD WITHOUT EATING. HE’S NOW STABLE, ON TREATMENT AND BACK AT WORK
Donations of clothes support those in need in the Waterberg, South Africa
SUPPORTING LEARNERS – IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR SCHOOL LIFE – BY ADDRESSING:
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
LEARNING PROBLEMS
TEENAGE PREGNANCY
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
COUNSELING
NUTRITION – WITH A SHOOL MEALS SCHEME
SCHOOL VEGETABLE GARDENS & RECYCLING PROJECT
Kind donations from TWT sponsors EIMS
CHALLENGES
POVERTY
ORPHANED CHILDREN
DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES
INCREASED TEENAGE PREGNANCIES
SUBSTANCE & ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONGST THE YOUTH
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE RESULTING IN PHYSICAL INJURY
Clothes being donated to grandmothers in the Waterberg
PROGRESS:
HELP FOR THE VULNERABLE
HEALTH EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY
INCREASED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTIVES FOR TEENAGE GIRLS
SCHOOL GIRLS HAVE ACCESS TO FREE ECO-SANITARY PADS
SPONSORSHIP FOR ORPHANS AND OUTSTANDING SCHOLARS
INVOLVING AN INCREASED NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY
Sister Grace distributing packs of Dignity Dreams eco-sanitary pads in secondary schools of the Waterberg
Sister Grace with 2023 Matric students in new uniforms
School nurse Sister Grace working with Waterberg school in South Africa
School nurse Sister Grace has been helping pupils of the Waterberg with learning problems by addressing social issues. “These include poverty, family crises, abuse, sexual abuse leading to unwanted pregnancy, gender-based violence, menstrual issues, and undisciplined learners attitude to fellow school mates and teachers.”
She reports, “My presence in surrounding schools has eased the pressure of teachers being disturbed during class. I have created a solid relationship with students who are free to come to me whenever they need help. Serious matters are referred to relevant stakeholders.” If she has a problem with students coming to school under the influence of drugs and alcohol or sees knives being brought to school, the Victim Support Unit at the local police station are notified.
“I have seen positive changes after facilitating health and safety,” Sister Grace says.
Thanks go to TWT donors who finance this sterling work. If you would like to make a donation, we have a Justigivng site and list other ways of getting involved on this website here.
Grade10 learners from the Waterberg district participated in a Public Speaking Competition held at Lapalala Wilderness School on 23rd September 2023. Students spoke on the impact, challenges and possible solutions to end rhino poaching in South Africa.
Junior students in grade 8 & 9 received IT tablets and data, enabling them to access the internet gain access to online studies.
The Matric students had their trial exams in preparation for their finals.
Learners continue to take extra classes and catch up on their schoolwork.
School clubs are doing well such as the Spelling Bee and the School Initiative Educational Club, which aims to address issues faced by learners and suggest possible solutions.
Waterberg pupils performing a drama about becoming a teenage mother
CHALLENGES:
Inadequate resources in Government schools such as poor sanitation and rundown classrooms with broken windows, cracked floors and loose doors.
Relocation of teachers to other schools.
Poor communication between parents, stakeholders and school management.
Teenage pregnancy remains a huge problem with teenage mums returning to school a week after delivery, against school policy.
A drama about the risks of teenage pregnancy performed by Waterberg pupils
Masifunde Learner Development, an organization partnered with the Department of Education, implements programs for school safety to deal with social issues arising in schools.
The Vaalwater based facilitator for Masifunde Learner Development
Each school chose five learners as representatives and game changers who were trained and are able to share with fellow students about findings within their social environment.
LEARNERS DISCUSSING BULLYING IN SCHOOLS, QUALITY OF EDUCATION AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THEIR FUTURE CAREERS
All learners attend classes on life orientation topics such as nutrition, careers, physical education and the environment.
TOTAL LEARNERS WHO CONSULTED INDIVIDUALLY = 136
Pregnant – 9(3 Meetsetshehla & 5 Leseding High School, 1 from Mokolo primary)
Referred for contraceptives – 37 (accessed different methods of birth control)
The final term of the academic year 2022 saw lots going on with Matric examinations, a career exhibition, educational camps and parents’ meetings.
The Department of Education rolled out a circular which stated that all learners must be kept at school, motivated and provided with extra lessons. In previous years, learners would stay home to study whenever they were not writing exams, but many would be seen roaming the streets and others were distracted by noise within the community. Parents were informed and we all agreed that learners must get extra lessons and not miss school.
All grade 12’s managed to attend education camps to prepare them well before they wrote their final exams. They had to go in divided groups with the top achievers followed by the lower achievers. During that time many learners faced challenges due to the pressure of study. Some grew fatigued and depressed. Sister Grace provided pre-exam counseling and provided coping mechanisms.
Exams went well without any interruptions within surrounding schools.
Dedicated teachers worked longer hours to support learners with extra classes, working over weekends.
The Department of Education introduced a Spelling Bee in schools to help learners improve their English vocabulary as some learners are not able to understand nor spell English words. The Spelling Bee Club members meet twice a week after class.
Some leaners attended a free computer course funded by Afrika Tikkun in partnership with the Waterberg Welfare Society.
Learners who attended computer lessons received certificates at the Farmer’s Hall when various stakeholders were present.
300 reusable sanitary towel packs were distributed to new grade 8 learners at Meetsetshehla and Leseding High Schools in in January 2023.
Each school has a vegetable garden which helps to supplement the feeding scheme and is used by students taking a course in catering.
Learners continue to enjoy balanced meals from school feeding schemes. These help many from disadvantaged families.
MAHLASEDI, MOKOLO AND MEETSHTSHEHLA BENEFICIARIES ACKNOWLEDGED THE RECEIPT OF DONATED SEEDLINGS AND COMPOST. IT WAS A MOMENT OF EXCITEMENT!
THE CIRCURT MANAGER WAS IMPRESSED BY THE SCHOOL PROGRAMME AS SHE WITNESSED ITEMS BEING DONATED TO VARIOUS SCHOOLS AND THANKED THE DONORS FOR THE KIND SUPPORT
Members of The Environmental Club volunteering to grow veggies
CHALLENGES:
A lack or shortage of learning resources such as computers
Broken doors and windows
Shortage of teachers
Some schools will be merged with other schools which will lead to overcrowding and difficulties for teachers
Unemployed school leavers could not access study bursaries and are currently sitting at home doing nothing
Some learners have dropped out of school while others continue to abscond classes.
Some learners are not coping due to peer pressure and poor family backgrounds.
Some continued to abuse alcohol and other substances within the school premises
Community workers keep the school veggie gardens watered during the holidays
LEARNERS WITH VARIOUS ISSUES DURING THIS TERM = 120
PREGNANT – 6 (3 FROM MEETSHETSHLA & 3 LESEDING SCHOOLS)
MENSTURAL ISSUES – 30 (girls with dysmenorrhea. Pads and counseling were provided)
CONTRACEPTIVES – 29 (were referred to the clinic and reproductive health education)
ADHERENCE SUPPORT – 15 (on chronic medication ie: HIV, Antipsychotics & depression)
SOCIAL ISSUES – 15 (Poor family support, alcoholism, age discrimination, poverty & food insecuritY)
NOTE: MORE LEARNERS WERE REACHED IN THEIR CLASSES FOR ASSISTANCE WITH HEALTH TOPICS RELATED TO LIFE ORIENTATION ie. Reproductive health, nutrition, bullying and risks of teenage pregnancies.
Sister Grace teaching Life Skills in the secondary schools of the Waterberg
FUTURE PLANS:
Sister Grace will continue to support learners from surrounding schools and motivate them about the importance of education and hard work while running the recycling project, gardening and providing health education. She will also continue to liaise with stakeholders and teachers to improve learning in schools.
As the year 2022 began, our school nurse, sister Grace was still busy checking pupils for Covid-19 every morning and face-masks were compulsory.
Sister Grace in the Waterberg
She continues to lead a busy life attending to first aid and a range of medical problems.
Talks on health form part of the life studies curriculum, covering sex education, HIV prevention and awareness, hygiene and food choices.
The Pretoria based charity Dignity Dreams have produced the book My Body #Noshame to be used with the distribution of washable eco-sanitary pads donated to every secondary school girl so they do not need to miss lessons.
Sister Grace has been able to help teens who have fallen pregnant, providing advice and resources.
She involved volunteers in local recycling projects.
Members of the environment club have also been maintaining the school vegetable gardens.
A range of nutritious greens were grown, providing food for the school feeding scheme and hotel and catering lessons. There were watered over the school holidays by community workers.
Outside of school, Sister Grace helped volunteers prepare and distribute food parcels for needy families.
Food parcels for the needy in rural South Africa
The Knitting Club in Vaalwater made some beautiful jerseys, hats and blankets.
The kind donation of a hand-knitted jersey
These were much appreciated over the South African winter when nights are cold.
Other clothes were provided for those in need.
Trustees and supporters of The Waterberg Trust in the UK have been busy raising funds to finance these grass-roots projects that help and inspire so many. If you would like to take part or make a donation, please click here for our address and more information.
Children of the Waterberg receiving wooly winter hats from the Knitting Club
Dr Peter Farrant says that Sister Grace continues to do excellent work at various schools in the community. “She is doing home based care, home visits to teenage mums, counselling and support of those struggling with substance abuse, those that are homeless and destitute. This report barely covers the surface of her activity. She attends the schools during school hours. I work with her in a supportive role and also supervise the treatment and therapy as well as monitor the monthly spending and examine the bank account each month.”
Sister Grace working in schools of the Waterberg
DUTIES:
Sister Grace has continued to support those needing help and was able to monitor the sick. She distributed donated clothes and disposable sanitary pads to teenage girls.
Some previous beneficiaries have managed to get employed on farms, while others have been helped to start small businesses in poultry, livestock or informal trading by the Department of Agriculture’s subsidy to empower local community members. The beneficiaries who received support applied to the Department of Agriculture. In each and every location there’s a vegetable garden, chickens and livestock.
FOOD PARCELS WERE BOUGHT AND COLLECTED
DONATED CLOTHES AND SANITARY PADS.
MORE PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE ON POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
Sister Grace donating blankets in Leseding Township in the Waterberg
CLOTHES TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN LESEDING TOWNSHIP
CHALLENGES:
The sale of alcohol and loud music in the township disrupts learners busy studying and preparing for exams.
The Department of Home Affairs is reluctant to renew work permits due to expire by December 2022 ,which causes job insecurity for foreigners.
Increase in numbers of teenage pregnancies. Babies are looked after by guardians at home but are vulnerable to malnutrition and illness.
Regular community theft by teenage youths who do not attend school and are under the influence of substance abuse and alcohol consumption
Increased prices of essential supplies including food makes it difficult for those with low incomes to provide for their families
School girls receiving donations to end period poverty
PROGRESS:
Local job opportunities and Social Relief Grants continue to benefit the community.
Learners who go to school have access to daily meals from the schools feeding scheme.
Guests who visit the surrounding lodges have donated clothes and sanitary pads which have been distributed to those in need or to learners.
Locals are benefiting from a recycling project and are able to earn an income after selling the recyclable materials i.e. bottles, card boxes, paper and tins etc
KNITTING CLUB:
A donation of £1 can provide enough wool to knit a hat for a child in need.
We continue knitting to bless others
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
I would like to thank St John The Baptist Church at 24 Rivers, guests from various lodges and individuals who have contributed so much towards the Acts of Mercy Charity which continues to help many people from the community regardless of nationality or cultural beliefs. This has made a huge impact. May God bless you all.
Nursing Sister Grace’s salary is provided by The Waterberg Trust who can accept financial donations in the UK and redeem Gift Aid. You can find different ways of how to make a donation here. Do specify how you wish your donation to be spent, if you like.
Donations of bras and wool are much appreciated if you find yourself going to the Waterberg.
Food parcels distributed in Vaalwater from May to June 2022
As Covid -19 restrictions have been relaxed, many people have returned to their daily routine. Some are employed, others are running small businesses selling farm produce, running hair salons, gardening or recycling. Chicken projects, funded by government vouchers amounting R2000 per person, help to generate income to buy food and essential needs for families.
Sister Grace says, “I reached out to those who really needed social support and have no source of income. I also supported one Matric learner with medication and 4 girls with Matric uniform (golf t-shirts). I donated some clothes to those in need, and baby wear to teenage mums.”
59 people received gifts of essential groceries and clothing this month
School feeding schemes continue to provide meals for learners with many gaining access to meals on daily basis. “We continue to issue basic food parcels to help those in need. Upon arrangement, beneficiaries normally collect their food parcel directly from the supermarket, while some send family members or friends to collect on their behalf.”
The knitting club continues to knit blankets, beanies and jerseys to bless those in need.
A donation of beautiful dresses. Boys received jeans or shoes.
CHALLENGES:
Shortage of supplies from the supermarkets. The regular contents of food parcels could not be found in one supermarket. We needed to shop around.
The price of food and other essentials has drastically increased and varies from one shop to another.
Huge families tend to run out of food. Some received two food parcels to enable them to last for a month.
Some had delayed Social Relief Grants, but this has now been rectified.
Dysfunctional families continue to abuse social grants by buying alcohol instead of food and essentials.
Leseding Township has become a hotspot of community theft and gender-based violence, especially in taverns. Three young men were brutally stabbed to death after a fight.
Most children below the age of 15 years are into substance abuse and alcohol consumption, skipping school.
Ending period poverty
PROGRESS:
Some individuals have come up with activities for the youth in our community such as sports and a fun run. This happens on weekly basis and children are able to spend time playing at the local park.
The Social Relief Grant has been extended, enabling those who apply to support their families.
Many small business owners received vouchers through government solidarity funds.
Disadvantaged girls continue to receive free sanitary pads during school holidays.
Sister Grace Ismail in the Waterberg
FUTURE PLANS:
Sister Grace will continue to reach out to those in need and provide social support.
Stakeholders include local churches, Social Development, Community leaders and the local Police Station who inform us of the needy.
Sister Grace provides basic health care and methods of contraception in an attempt to reduce teenage pregnancies.
The gift of a new dress
MANY THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO KEEP DONATING CLOTHES WHICH HELP THE NEEDY CHILDREN AND ADULTS
The work of The Waterberg Trust is being added by a Knitting Club in Vaalwater who have been making blankets and clothing for the needy. Please let us know if you would like to donate money for us to purchase wool, at a reduced price, in the comments below.
ACTS OF MERCY REPORT DECEMBER 2021
Dr Peter Farrant writes to say: “Grace has been busy in the community as you will see. We were able to distribute some seven bed bases and mattresses to deserving people…a lodge in Welgevonden was up grading, and a member of our community assisted with mattresses. Food inflation is a significant problem. The support is therefore needed. Many thanks for the support you give…it is greatly appreciated.”
A gift of useful clothing
Upon identifying those in need Sister Grace bought food parcels and essential supplies during the festive season. She writes to say: “I did my normal assessments in a different way through telephonically and referrals from the community due the rising numbers of Covid 19 cases… This time I did not invite more people to the supermarket but bought food and sent volunteers to deliver it to avoid overcrowding.” She supported a grieving family, who sadly lost a teenager, with a food parcel as the mother is unemployed and had no source of income.
We had 78 beneficiaries this month.
Food parcels for the needy in rural South Africa
CHALLENGES:
Neglected family members being left without any support, food or shelter. Some beneficiaries abuse social grants intended for buying food. Instead they use the money to buy alcohol or for gambling, which means they have no food for their family
Increase in alcohol and substance abuse leading to Gender Based Violence and Community theft
Unattended children roaming the streets. One child aged two years was found on the street alone. He was handed over to the local police station for identification as he couldn’t talk.
Some elderly parents live alone without primary caregivers and some of are on medication which needs supervision.
Poor adherence in some mentally ill patients. They do not understand the proper dosage for their treatment
A kind donation of mattresses
FUTURE PLANS:
To ensure that the community, various church leaders and other stakeholders are involved in the Acts of Mercy Activities. i.e. to assist those who are homeless, reunite homeless people with their families and provide appropriate shelter.
The knitting club will continue to knit blankets and warm beanies before winter.
Sister Grace will engage with families who are neglecting their chronically ill patients and encourage them to support, provide basic needs and ensure they take their medication regularly, as prescribed.
She will continue to educate families about the importance of being responsible, help them to understand the purpose of social grants, and to refer those with ID documents to Social Development to be registered in the system.
She would like to express appreciation all those who donated clothes, sanitary pads, beds and finances to the Acts of Mercy.
We would like to thank local people for their kind donations of food, clothing and household items.
Thanks to The Waterberg Trust supporters who made this life-changing experience possible
‘Our courses are no longer regarded as a luxury but rather as a vitally important component of the education of all our children, with the message that the health of people is intimately connected with the health of the environment.’ Chairman of Lapalala Wilderness School
Clearly, one of the best ways of ensuring future conservation is to educate the young people.
After delays caused by C-19 Lockdown, and floods that washed away the access road, a group of twenty-two teenage students from Meetsetshehla Sceondary School in Valwater were able to attend a week-long environmental course at Lapalala Wilderness School in 2021. TWT hope to send another group from Leseding High School in Vaalwater soon.
Learners from Meetsetshehla Secondary School in Vaalwater learning about rivers
The main objectives of the Environmental Education programme are:
To spark an interest and passion for the natural world and the conservation.
To share knowledge relating to local and global environmental issues and sustainable living.
To demonstrate how individuals can have a positive impact on the environment.
To build team spirit and nurture leadership skills.
To cultivate an appreciation and respect for a pristine wilderness environment.
Students learn about recycling, biodiversity and gain practical help if they are seeking a career in tourism and wildlife conservation. For further details of the course, please see Lapalala Wilderness School’s website here.
Learning to identify plants of the Waterberg. There are approx 340 different species of trees in the area.
Lapalala Wilderness School can accommodate sixty pupils and two teachers who reside at the Wilderness School for five days, under COVID -19 lockdown regulations
It costs R 400 (£19) per person per day.
For 62 individuals for five days costs R 124,000 (£5,885)
Return transport from Vaalwater costs R10,000 (£475)
This is exceptionally good value. All in all, it costs R 134,000 (£6,360) to host a group, fully inclusive of teaching, equipment, food and accommodation.
If you would like to find out how to sponsor another group of children to attend the Wilderness School, please click here
Leaners on a game drive through Lapalala Wilderness where they saw lion and a variety of antelope
The Chairman of Lapalala Wilderness School writes:
‘In this, our 35th anniversary year, our supporters will be delighted to know that all of our environmental education programmes are being enthusiastically received, not only by primary and secondary schools but also by university students already specialising in aspects of the conservation and management of biodiversity.’
‘We have influenced teachers from a variety of schools to embrace and acknowledge the critical role of environmental conservation in many facets of our daily lives, and our work to identify and nurture the conservation leaders and champions of the future through our youth development programme has never been more urgently needed.’
Students learning about nature conservation and the job opportunities in tourism and wildlife management
‘In all of these activities the Lapalala Wilderness School is most fortunate to be able to call on a talented team of passionate and enthusiastic educators, many of whom are today widely recognised as truly inspiring mentors.’
Leadership and communication skills are nurtured on each course.
‘Our citizens must understand and support the need to conserve water catchments, wetlands, and the many species of plants and animals which receive far too little attention, such as the pollinators so essential for food security.’
Thank you letters from some of the students
The children were truly grateful for the opportunity and wrote to thank the director of Lapalala Wilderness School:
A letter written to thank the director of Lapalala Wilderness School
The course fits in with the national curriculum. Sister Grace founded an Environmental Club for schools in Vaalwater. Members tend vegetable gardens and have been taken to local game reserves.
Back at school: some of the students who attended the Lapalala Wilderness course, with Sister Grace
Extending knowledge learned at Lapalala Wilderness in the school veggie garden established by the TWT corporate sponsor in South Africa: Environmental Impact Management Services.
For further details about Lapalala Wilderness School, please click here
The Waterberg Trust 