Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Big Give Christmas Challenge will double any donation made to The Waterberg Trust until 9th December

December 2, 2025Africa, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Education, Limpopo Province, Nature Conservation, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Waterberg, YouthAfrica, Big Give, biodiversity, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Christmas challenge, conservation, ecology, Lapalala Wilderness, Lapalala Wilderness School, Limpopo Province, nature, South Africa, The Big give ChristmasChallenge helping children of the Waterberg, The Big Give ChristmasChallenge2025, WaterbergSophie Neville

Our aim is to send teenage school children from the Waterberg in South African on a course in wildlife conservation at Lapalala Wilderness School to broaden their horizons, present them with career opportunities and raise awareness about the vital importance of the Unesco Biosphere Reserve where they live.

Would you be able to help?

A donation made through the Big Give will be doubled until 9th December 2025. Even small donations are a great encouragement and will make a big difference.

We have reached our challenge target but this remains a great way to donate and means we will be able to apply for a higher amount of matched funding next year.

Situation:

The Waterberg plateau in Limpopo province, South Africa is an unspoilt wilderness of great and valuable biodiversity. It has been awarded UN World Biosphere status.

Within this area are several impoverished communities. The Waterberg Trust works to uplift school children, providing healthcare and environmental training, in order to improve the life chances of individuals and thereby protect the environment.

Lapalala Wilderness School in the Waterberg, South Africa

Solution:

By providing a 5-day residential environmental training course for a classroom of teenagers, individuals will gain an understanding of their biosphere and its value to them, their communities and the world ecosystem. Follow-ups are conducted by the trainers back in the school classroom to maintain interest and deepen learning. This is often the first exposure these young people get to understanding wildlife. Some go on to have careers in nature conservation or work in hotel and catering management on game reserves in the area.

The Waterberg Trust has sent a number of groups to Lapalala Wilderness School in the past. As you can see from the photos above, this has always been a great success.

Lapalala Wilderness School is a long-established NGO or charity in it’s own right that has been changing the lives of young people in South Africa for 34 years.

You will find The Waterberg Welfare Society page here on the Big Give website under Waterberg Welfare Society Trust

Help us to make another course happen! All donations received via Big Give will be doubled until their deadline on 9th December.

Their match funding partners, or“Champions”, make everything possible. It’s a simple idea. When the public donates to one of their campaigns, they ask their Champions to match donations to help make an even bigger difference, as explained here and in the video below.

Many thanks to all our donors! We are deeply grateful.

Would you be able to help the uplift children of the Waterberg in South Africa?

December 1, 2025Africa, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Community projects, Education, Ending period poverty, Healthcare, HIV awareness, HIV prevention, Home Based Care, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, Orphans, School vegetable gardens, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Vulnerable Children, Waterberg, YouthAfrica, BigGiveChoice, Charity, Charity fundraising event, Education, Limpopo Province, South Africa, The Big give ChristmasChallenge helping children of the Waterberg, The Big Give ChristmasChallenge2025, uplifting-school-children-and-teenage-mothers-in-the-waterbergsouth, WaterbergSophie Neville

Big Give will double any funds The Waterberg Trust can raise between 2nd and 8th December 2025. Donations can be made via their site online.

Our aim is to provide a school class (53 children) with an in-depth, 5 day residential environmental/conservation course at Lapalala Wilderness School. This will have far-reaching benefits for both the children learning about the value of their environment and long-term conservation protection in the Waterberg which is a Unesco World Biosphere Reserve where they live.

Local students on a course at Lapalala Wilderness School

The children of the Waterberg so need help in broadening their horizons. School Nurse, Sister Grace says, “Over the last few months, 100 school children had issues that needed private intervention, with a home visit and family involvement.” She has listed current challenges:

Learners living with step-parents can face psychological and emotional trauma.
Sexual abuse of girls. Families choose to keep silent if the offender is a family member.
Trauma after being raped or sexually abused.
Gender based violence leading to physical injuries.
Suicidal ideation due to bullying by ‘friends’ via social media platforms.
Lack of concentration in class and failing to cope after the loss of parents or loved ones.
Unsuitable home environment for studying due to noise or dysfunctional families.
Poverty affects many children especially on weekends and holidays.
Guardians misuse the social grant meant for child upkeep.
Learners drop out of school due to substance abuse, addiction or failure to cope in class.
Lack of family caregivers at home to look after the babies of teenage moms when they return to school.

Equiping pupils who have no parents with school shoes

Sister Grace explained that, after home visits and the family meetings, “I managed to refer 20 learners to different stakeholders i.e. Victim Support Unit, SASSA, along with Social Development and Department of Home Affairs for ID and birth certificate application.”

Sister Grace helping schoolgirls in South Africa

She travels from one school to another on different days of the week. “I focus on addressing complaints and issues which were raised from the beginning of the year from learners who prefer to treat personal challenges individually in the presence of their chosen trusted guardian, parent or sibling.”

Ending period poverty – Schoolgirls in the Waterberg receiving packs of washable eco-sanitary pads

This year, schools reopened on the 13^th October, which is the 4^th term and busy time of the year when students prepare for final exams and Matric learners attend extra classes both during the week and on weekends. Dedicated educators are working hard to ensure they support the Matric learners especailly if they have fallen behind.

Six babies were born to teenage mothers who have returned to school. Some use formula while others are express-cup feeding. Hygiene measures to prevent infection are properly explained.

The Waterberg Trust is helping babies born to schoolgirls in South Africa — School nurse Sister Grace ensuring babies born to teenage mothers get a good start in life

Good News:

The Department of Education continues to supply disposable sanitary pads for schoolgirls.

The Waterberg Trust helping school children in the Waterberg, South Africa

Dignity Dreams supply re-usable packs of eco-sanitary pads

BEAUTIFUL VEGETABLE GARDENS ENSURE LEARNERS HAVE EXTRA NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS ARE SPONSORED BY THE EIMS FOUNDATION WHO ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LUNCHBOX MEALS AT ALL THE SCHOOL’S FEEDING SCHEMES, WHICH IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO LEANERS

Businesses in the Waterberg have been making generous donations

A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO SUSKES, in VAALWATER for DONATING 220 SCHOOL UNIFORMS for MAHLASEDI PRIMARY SCHOOL

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Matric learners attended educational camps
Enrichment classes continue during the school holidays
Sporting activities and competitions for both primary and high schools
Matric farewell functions

You can find out more about the Big Give and how they double the difference:

The Knitting Club of Vaalwater in the Waterberg, South Africa

October 16, 2025Africa, Charity, Community projects, Home Based Care, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, Peer Education, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Waterberg, YouthAfrica, Charity, craft, How can I send wool to a charity project?, knitting community project, knitting wool needed, Limpopo Province, South Africa, Waterberg, What is the best thing to knit for homeless people?Sophie Neville

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.

You can find ways of how to donate in this website here.

The Knitting Club of Vaalwater is a lovely community project, bringing people together.

Young Mothers in The Waterberg — Young mothers receiving items knitted by the knitting club

The most beautiful items have been produced

The knitting club need more wool to keep going!

The brand new, handmade gifts preserve the dignity of the recipient.

Baby clothes — Warm baby clothes donated to teenage mothers in school

Sister Grace, our school nurse, donates items to those in need.

Sister Grace donating a hand-knitted blanket

Most blankets go to teenage mothers or the very elderly who need to keep warm in chilly Waterberg winter nights.

Some items were given to a family whose house burnt down.

The kind donation of a hand-knitted jersey

A knitted blanket was donated to a 14 year old expecting a baby

Sister Grace monitoring the wellbeing of a newborn baby

Monitoring a baby born to a teenage schoolgirl

The colourful blankets have brightened up many lives.

The Knitting Club continue to knit blankets for the elderly and for teenage moms.

Every gift had been gratefully received and used well.

Sister Grace working in Leseding Township

A soft blanket was given to this lady who is in the nineties.

Could you knit a beanie or donate wool?

School Nurse Sister Grace distributing hand knitted blankets to the elderly of the Waterberg

Sister Grace donating a blanket to an elderly resident

It cost about £1 to provide enough wool to knit a hat for a child

These hats help the children to get out and about and can be worn to school.

They are also fashionable and attractive.

Hats provided by the Vaalwater Knitting Club

We are raising funds to bu wool at wholesale prices. Please donate on The Waterberg Trust Justgiving page

Ways of making a donatation can be found in this website here.

Teenage pregnancy support in the Waterberg, South Africa

July 11, 2025Africa, Charity, Community projects, Healthcare, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Vulnerable Children, Waterberg, YouthAfrica, Charity, Limpopo Province, minstering to the hungry, Small but effective grass-roots project helping rural people in the Waterberg, South Africa, South African teenagers, Supporting teenage mothers, WaterbergSophie Neville

School nurse Sister Grace supporting teenage mothers

School nurse, Sister Grace writes to say that 53 individuals in 11 family units remain in need of food parcels and other essential items. These include school-aged mothers, child-headed homes, the unemployed who have no source of income, unemployed foreign nationals, or huge families struggling to meet daily demands.

After completing home visits and assessments, Sister Grace buys food that is distributed to the beneficiaries. “Those who are faced with an urgent situation are assisted accordingly.”

Thanks go to all those who donated to TWT’s Food Parcel Appeal back in 2020. Thanks to careful purchasing and management, we are still drawing on the funds raised. The scheme has worked exceptionally well. Many desperately needy people have benefited and thousands of meals have been provided.

If you would like to help, even in a small way, financial donations can be made via The Waterberg Trust’s Justgiving page or as specified on our Donate page here.

A food parcel financed by The Waterberg Trust

Prices for essential commodities fluctuate, but Grace shops around for the best deals. “I also buy baby clothes for teenage moms and donate clothes to needy children and adults.”

A school-age Mum receiving guidance and support

“All the pregnant girls I interact with are in between the ages of 15 – 18 years. They do have knowledge about where to access free contraceptives but are reluctant to go and seek for help due to unknown reason.”

A school-age Mum in South Africa receiving essential supplies — A school-age Mum receiving essential supplies

CHALLENGES: Most problems are complex and differ from one household to another

Alcoholics choose to spend money on beer rather than food
Child-headed homes lack parental guidance
Poverty
Gender Based Violence leads to sexual and physical abuse
Unemployed parents and youth
Increased number of teenage pregnancies

Some local community members remain employed on road construction on the R33, or on surrounding lodges and farms, while others run small scale businesses and earn extra income to support their families.

WISHLIST: Baby clothes, wool and sanitary products

News from a promising student from the Waterberg in South Africa supported by TWT

June 19, 2025UncategorizedAfrica, Charity, Limpopo Province, South Africa, sponsor a student from the Waterberg through university in South Africa, sponsor an orphan through further education, University sponsorship, WaterbergSophie Neville

The Waterberg Trust has a policy of supporting outstanding students from the Waterberg who lack parental support. Elton Chitanda, who was awarded a TWT bursary to study computer science at Eduvos University in Guateng, South Africa, has won a Top Achiever Award, marking him a student of distinction in South Africa.

He writes to say:

You can read about how Elton started out on this website

Thanks goes to TWT’s supporters and fundraisers. If you are able to help, even in a small way, TWT can accept donations via Justgiving or other ways detailed on the website here.

If you would like to sponsor a promising student through higher education, please contact The Waterberg Trust C/o Noel Cooper at The Trust Partnership (Phone: 01285 841900)

News from our school nurse in the Waterberg, South Africa

June 11, 2025Africa, Charity, Education, Healthcare, HIV awareness, HIV prevention, Limpopo Province, Nonprofit, Orphans, School vegetable gardens, South Africa, The Waterberg Trust, Uncategorized, Vaalwater, Vulnerable Children, Waterberg, YouthAfrica, Charity, Education, learning, Limpopo Province, news, South Africa, WaterbergSophie Neville

Every morning, School nurse Sister Grace checks into Meetsetshehla High School where her office is located, before attending other schools on weekly, scheduled visits. Teachers help identify needy learners and refer them to her on a one-to-one basis. She also spends time with groups of girls, educating them on puberty, menstruation, hygiene and access to contraceptives.

Examinations are looming. Grade 12’s attend classes from Monday to Sunday to ensure they are well prepared and can catch where they are behind.

Sporting activities, with learners competing with other schools in soccer and netball are popular. Winning teams have advanced to the next round of competitions.

School vegetable gardens are suppling extra food for the existing feeding scheme.

Recycling projects are generating funds for schools. The initiative empowers learners and reduces littering while keeping school premises clean. Each school now has four different waste bins for plastic, tin, glass and paper.

Coding and robotics classes are being introduced in primary schools to prepare children for the future. Tablets have been delivered for them to use:

PROGRESS:

Teachers have attended workshops on supporting learners and producing good results.
Extra classes have been provided for the Matric students of 2025.
Learners eat breakfast before classes commence and lunch during break.
The EMS Foundation is supporting schools on farms with lunchbox meals. These include instant porridge and lunch, adding to the existing feeding schemes.
The lunchbox is one of the best initiatives to help children from disadvantaged families.
Absenteeism in schools has declined since learners eat at school.

CHALLENGES:

Lack of parental involvement in school meetings or children’s activities
Gender Based Violence, sexual abuse and harassment
Poverty leading to dropping out of school
Increased teenage pregnancies
Bullying and physical fights among learners
Poor family background i.e. unemployed, low or no source of income & alcoholic parents or guardians

PREGNANT LEARNERS	NUMBER OF LEANERS PER SCHOOL
Meetsetshehla Secondary School – 4	596
Leseding High School – 8	1363
Motakamhotala High School – 1	368

BELOW ARE THE LEARNER ENROLLMENT PER SCHOOL

PRIMARY SCHOOLS	TOTAL LEARNERS	NUMBER OF TEACHERS
Mokolo Primary	1224	34 Teachers
Mahlasedi Primary	1423	38 Teachers

TOTAL NUMBER OF LEARNERS SEEN INDIVIDUALLY = 555

Medical condition=65 (Epilepsy 8, asthma 25, dental abscess 6, allergic conjunctivitis 26)

Social Problems = 45 (orphaned 25, alcoholic parents 10, physical abuse 8, suicide attempt 2)

Menstrual issues = 105 (Pads distributed to girls)

Referral for contraceptives =150 (girls aged 13-19 years-old accessed injectable contraceptives)

Minor ailments = 85 (soccer injury, physical cuts after picking a fight, insect bites, colds)

Counseling = 115 (HIV/AIDS preventative measures, how to deal with addiction and coping methods, how to overcome depression.)

Sister Grace adds, “Other learners discussed in class matters about learning, combating fatigue, importance of exercise, career guidance and the disadvantage of bullying in schools.”

Schools will have a winter break towards end of June but Matric learners have no holiday as they need to intensify their studies and prepare for the year end final exams!

Every donation made towards Sister Grace’s salary is recognized by the local community and the schools she helps. The Waterberg Trust is looking for people who would like to make a monthly donation, as small regular payments help hugely with budgeting. Please see the HOW TO DONATE page for more information.

Helping those in need in the Waterberg, South Africa

June 7, 2025UncategorizedCharity, food, TravelSophie Neville

From January to March 2025, our school nurse, Sister Grace continued to provide food parcels, clothes, and other essential items to those identified as in being need. By shopping wisely, we were able to stretch our resources and assist more people.

Some of the food parcels purchased and distributed this quarter

The EMS Foundation based at Shambla Private Game lodge provides weekly vegetables for the community and surrounding schools. Many families are grateful.

PROGRESS:

I managed to identify 3 children aged 5 years-old in need of a safe home. The Fold Childrens’ Home took in one boy and the remaining two will be considered when there’s space to accommodate them.
Other NPOs and foreign business owners are involved in supporting the needy community members with food stuff, school uniform and clothes.
Teenage girls continue to receive free donated sanitary pads (120 sanitary pads distributed this quarter).

Two Babies born to teenage moms were blessed with baby clothes, a blanket and other necessities.

A local business owner donated enough school uniform for 48 children at a primary school children in Leseding township

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Christians from St John the Baptist Church donated various items, clothes and toys.
Guests from Horizon Horseback donated sanitary pads, clothes, stationery and toiletries.
A local business owner donated enough school uniforms to equip 48 local primary school children in Leseding township.
SUSKES

CHALLENGES:

Child neglect by parents due to alcoholism or lack of support.
Social grants for basic needs are often used to buy alcohol or on gambling
Large families struggle to buy food at end of the month before grants arrive.
Unemployment contributes to poverty, leading to community theft and house break-ins by those under substance or alcohol abuse in need of quick money.
Unplanned teenage pregnancies – despite health education on various methods of contraception.
Damaged roads make it difficult reach those who need help.

TWT are grateful for any donations however small. It is easy to send money via Justgiving who accept 8 different currencies and collect gift aid.

More photos from The Waterberg Trust Cycle Challenge Ride 2025

May 13, 2025Uncategorizedbike, biking, cyclingSophie Neville

Blue skies and a well-planned route made The Waterberg Trust Challenge Ride on 10th May 2025 an unforgettable charity fundraising event, which so far has raised a total of £10,681.

It was our 10th challenge ride, laid on to raise funds for the amazing projects we founded and supported in the Waterberg, South Africa.

It is great if supporters set up a monthly gift by standing order to The Waterberg Trust bank account when they first sign up. Here are the details:

Account Name: Waterberg Welfare Society Trust
Sort Code: 40-52-40
Account Number: 00017512

You can sent CAF cheques direct to:
CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ

Organised by TWT trustee William Orme and Chariman Barry Burles, a great group of nearly 50 cyclists completed the 75-mile round trip with ease, raising sponsorship or making donations via The Waterberg Trust’s Justgiving page.

Justgiving accept money in 8 different currencies and collect UK Gift Aid with ease.

Everyone had a great time. “It’s like no other bike ride I have been on. Classically English. The boys couldn’t quite believe how wonderful it was.” Greg Glass (Australia)

“Thank you so much for all your hard work in arranging the bike ride and associated activities. Jesse and I had a wonderful day.” David Saunderson

“It was really fun, whatever my bum says.” Tom B-G

“Many thanks go to Elaine Franklin for providing home made refreshments, including Scotch eggs and flapjacks. New friends spent the morning chatting non stop as they cycled along were still equally engaged at lunch! “

“The Franklin’s Scotch Eggs fuel the last 10 miles at the end of the day when the body’s reserves have run out. A critical part of the nutritional planning! Good feeding at every stop is a strong theme of the ride.”

“A great group – We loved the 1908 Lutyens house at the start of the day.” Aidan Prior

TWT Trustee William Orme reports:

We were truly blessed with some great May weather, lots of sunshine, slight breeze, not too hot and we plan for another May date next year. Save the date Saturday 30th May 2026. Due to a late surge, we were almost 50 riders gathered in Sherry’s beautiful garden near Shelford spending probably longer than intended preparing bikes, finding spare helmets, chatting and consuming bacon butties, tea & coffee (thanks to all the helpers) before departing across the front lawn and down through Stapleford.

‘After Duxford it was a steady but gentle climb up to the North Hertfordshire villages. Sadly one rider had a breakdown that required bike shop gear to fix and due to a slight administrative error (my fault) led to the much sought after Franklin’s home-made scotch eggs making a late appearance at our first break at Reed village hall.

The new route to lunch at Southill Park proved popular, even if not entirely tarmac’ed. As ever, we had a diverse range of bike types and people too! It was some hours after the first arrivals that Barry in his traditional sweeper role hove into sight. This year MAMIL’s were in a clear minority!

After a very sociable, sunny and scrumptious buffet lunch, about two thirds of the riders set off in small teams on the route home. It certainly did feel a little harder, the slight breeze now against us. The track from Cockayne Hatley to Hatley St George being particularly testing. The words of William Earnest Henley (buried there) seemed most appropriate “It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll…”.

Tea and ice creams at Wimpole Hall gave a much needed and welcome relief. Without major incident, we did have a couple of unseated riders with nasty road grazes requiring first aid as well as several flat tyres. The remainder made it back to Middlefield for a very enjoyable sunlit evening by the koi pond with mounds of absolutely scrumptious slow-cooked beef, Bill’s signature dish, and a ton of various salads.’

Thank you again to all our hosts and helpers for making it such an enjoyable day and all our supporters for helping The Waterberg Trust continue its most valuable work for the education of young people and conservation of their environment.

“Really enjoyed yesterday’s ride. Looking forward to next time.” Mareeni

“Thanks for another fabulous ride – it’s fast becoming one of my favourite days of the year.” Ben Glass

“Age will not weary them,” says the Chairman of TWT looking much the worse for wear at lunch after 46 miles with the Darbys who hosted the mid morning stop.

You can sign up for next year’s ride here. We have more photos of the 2025 cycle ride on the previous post here.

Many thanks to all those supporting The Waterberg Trust Cycle Challenge.

May 12, 2025Uncategorizedbike, biking, Charity fundraising event, Sponsored rideSophie Neville

TWT Chairman Barry Burles (center) leading the TWT cycle challenge, 2025

The Waterberg Trust challenge cycle ride on Saturday 10th May proved a great success.

A massive thank you to all our sponsors, riders and supporters. It was a great day and (so far) we’ve raised a huge £10,680.88 with hopefully more to come from employers in matched donations and anyone who has been just too busy to make their donation yet. It’s never too late, our JustGiving account is: https://donate.justgiving.com/charity/waterbergtrust/donation-amount

A special thank you, to our regular monthly subscribers now at £341.50 pm (equivalent to £4,098 pa).

Forty-nine riders gathered in Cambridge at 8.00am, taking an exhilarating route to Southill Park to the west of Biggleswade.

Drawing from past experience, TWT trustee William Orme planned the ride with care, accepting riders with all levels of experience on a range of bikes.

The TWT 2025 cycle challenge was a ‘first’ for some who made donations on The Waterberg Trust JustGiving Page where Gift Aid is automatically collected.

Cheques can still be sent to TWT’s CAF bank account

We are hugely grateful for monthly gifts by standing order made direct to The Waterberg Trust bank account as it helps us budget for the future. Our account details are:

Account Name: Waterberg Welfare Society Trust
Sort Code: 40-52-40
Account Number: 00017512
Bank: CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ

Eliza celebrates her first TWT ride with brother Shane and Aidan “route-maestro” Prior

A fabulous lunch was provided by trustees Elaine Franklin and Jane Whitbread who were able to chat to riders about TWT’s amazing projects in the Waterberg sustained by their donations.

The weather was glorious and it was a family time for many.

Mother-daughter combos Katie & Pippa Lowe and Christina & Gemma Harrison

Everyone was grateful for refreshments served enroute.

Good friendships were made and great fun was had by all.

Some opted to take a lift home at the 40 mile point. Trailers were organised thanks to Martin Lines of Nature Friendly Farming Network and Charles Whitbread.

TWT Chairman Barry Burles checked all the bikes except his own! He now needs new handlebars and a new seat.

Most riders were keen to complete the whole circuit.

They leapt on their bikes and cycled on, completing the 75 mile round trip back to Cambridge where an evening meal was provided for the gallant riders.

You can see more photos and read more about the ride on out next blog post.

CAF cheques and funds raised via JustGiving will support the only school nurse in the Limpopo Province of south Africa. TWT helps to keep girls in education, shows schoolchildren in the Waterberg how protect their environment and effectively reduces rhino poaching.

Information on how to make a monthly donation to The Waterberg Trust is detailed here.

If you are keen to sign up for next year, TWT has a form here.

Sixty teenagers from Leseding High School benefit from a residential course at Lapalala Wilderness School in the Waterberg, South Africa

March 21, 2025UncategorizedEducation, environment, learning, news, teachingSophie Neville

The Waterberg Trust sponsored sixty grade 10 students from Leseding High School, along with one of their teachers and a SGB member, enabling them to attend a residential course at Lapalala Wilderness School in the Waterberg, South Africa from 10th-14th March 2025.

The aim was:

To spark an interest and passion for the natural world and conservation
To pass on knowledge relating to local and global environmental issues and demonstrate how individuals can impact the environment through lifestyle changes.
To develop team–building and leadership.

Lapalala Wilderness School provides residential courses in ecology and nature conservation

Having sent a number of teenagers to Lapalala Wilderness School in the past, we liaised with the director Mashudu Makhokah who agreed to host a group from Vaalwater for a short centre based environmental education programme.

The week proved a great success:

Learners developed orienteering skills, teamwork and communication skills.
They were provided with practical environmental education through various activities designed to deepen an understanding of nature and engage them in hands-on conservation efforts.
They learnt how to promote Sustainable Practices to empower other conservation champions with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions and positively impact the environment for future generations.

Through their youth network they plan an awareness campaign to help learners understand environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, encouraging them to become more responsible and environmentally conscious.
The learners participated in a series of team-building activities aimed at improving collaboration, communication, build trust and enhance their ability to work together in group settings. Key outcomes included improved cooperation and problem-solving skills, which were applied throughout the week in all activities.

As one TWT supporter said, it’s “really encouraging to see the breadth of activities that these courses enable them to experience. They can only help in building all sorts of life skills and experiences for these youngsters.”

Nature Educational Walks

Guided nature walks allowed learners to explore the wilderness environment first hand. The walks were focused on educating learners about local flora and fauna, ecosystems, and the importance of conservation. They learned about indigenous plant species, archaeological sites, animal behaviour, and how human activities impact natural habitats.

Butterfly Traps and Citizen Science

Learners engaged in practical fieldwork by setting up butterfly traps to monitor local butterfly populations. This activity introduced them to citizen science, collecting data for environmental research. They learned about the importance of insects in maintaining ecological balance and the role of citizen science in supporting environmental research.

Game Drive

A thrilling game drive allowed learners to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. They had the opportunity to spot various species of animals and discuss wildlife conservation efforts.
This experience emphasized the importance of protecting habitats to maintain biodiversity.

Debate on Environmental Issues

Learners participated in a structured debate where they discussed pressing environmental issues, such as climate change, habitat destruction, sustainable resource use, overpopulation, pangolin conservation, rhino poaching, and waste disposal. The debate promoted critical thinking and allowed learners to express their views on environmental responsibility and the need for immediate action to preserve the planet.

The Waterberg Trust — New experiences for local children

Obstacle Course

A physically challenging obstacle course tested learners’ physical stamina, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. It was also an opportunity for learners to push their personal boundaries and work cohesively in a group under pressure. The obstacle course emphasized perseverance and resilience, both physically and mentally, while fostering a spirit of camaraderie among students.

Key Learnings & Takeaways:

Environmental Awareness: Learners gained a deeper understanding of environmental conservation and sustainability practices. The hands-on activities, such as butterfly trapping and the game drive allowed them to connect with nature in a meaningful way.
Collaboration & Teamwork: The team building exercises fostered strong relationships among the learners, enhancing their ability to collaborate effectively in both academic and extracurricular settings.

Critical Thinking: The debate on environmental issues encouraged students to think critically about challenges we face and to develop well-informed opinions on how to address them.

Physical & Mental Growth: The obstacle course and other physically demanding activities helped students push their limits and learn to overcome challenges together.

Conclusion

The week-long visit to Lapalala Wilderness School was a highly educational and impactful experience for Leseding High School’s Grade 10 learners. It not only broadened their knowledge of environmental issues but instilled a sense of responsibility towards nature. The activities provided valuable lessons in teamwork, conservation, and personal development. The learners returned with a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

This is the 6th group TWT has been able to send form Vaalwater schools. You can see photos of the last group that went on this website.

We would like to thank TWT’s kind donors for sponsoring this excursion.

On Saturday 10th May, TWT are organising a cycle ride from Cambridge to raise funds to send another group. If you’d like to join us, please sign up here.

In 2026 it only costs about £30 a night to send a teenage or a 5 day residential course at Lapalala Wilderness School – great value for a life changing experience.

If you would like to sponsor a group of up to 120 local school children to attend a course there please contact The Waterberg Trust.

We also collect donations on Justgiving