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24 July 2020

Wilderness Safaris and CITW Drive Zambezi Community Support During COVID-19

By Sibahle Mncwango, Wilderness Safaris

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilderness Safaris and its non-profit partner, Children in the Wilderness (CITW), have embarked on a mission to support rural communities in the Zambezi region, through the provision of food relief, hygiene products as well as educational assistance in the form of student allowances. Valued at USD31 600, the support has impacted an average of 4 200 people in 18 villages.

“COVID-19 has affected everyone in the world and calls for us to collectively assist our neighbouring, and most vulnerable, communities. While we realise that there is still a long way to go in combating the challenges of the pandemic, we also acknowledge that a little can go a long way. We will continue working with CITW to support our communities during this difficult time”, says Dean Morton, Wilderness Safaris Zambezi Operations Manager.  

Of the total amount spent in supporting communities, USD27 000 has been used to help mitigate food shortages. The CITW team organised 300 packets of vegetable seeds for the villages of Ngamo, Mtshayeli, Mlevu, Kapane, Jakalasi, Mpindo, Sipepa, and Matupula in Tsholotsho, near Hwange National Park.  Wilderness Safaris aided with the transportation of the goods during a resupply trip to their camps in the national park.

CITW ordered two tons of nutritious porridge, which will be used at schools when they open. They also provided the necessary funding to convert the Lukosi Clinic garden borehole from an electrical to a solar system.

2 000 face masks were procured from local sewing groups and distributed to those in need in Zimbabwe. A further 840 face masks have been bought from a local sewing group in Livingstone and distributed to Zambian schools.  This is in addition to 30 blankets donated to the Victoria Falls Task Force Isolation Centre, as well as school Tippy Tap materials. USD1 100 of the total donations was spent in providing the necessary food and data allowances for tertiary students during the lockdown period.