Since starting African Avenue, Rich and I have recognised the need to help uplift the people of South Africa. We live in an incredible country with amazing people with huge potential. Many of whom live in areas where education, healthcare, and a decent standard of living is a constant challenge. It is our duty as South Africans to bring about meaningful change in as many of these people’s lives as we can.
One of our passions is conservation and we strongly believe in protecting natural resources. It therefore feels logical that we have chosen to contribute to the Timbavati Foundation. An organization that focuses on uplifting people living in the communities surrounding the Kruger National Park’s western boundary.
If the Kruger Park is to sustain itself and continue to protect is valuable wilderness, then the people who live closest to the park need to see conservation work for them. If we are unable to achieve this, then the benefits of wildlife crimes such as rhino poaching will become more valuable to them than the park itself. Already Kruger Park has lost too many of its rhinos and although the anti-poaching efforts have slowed the problem, there needs to be more community involvement to help deter the never-ending supply of recruits willing to enter the reserve and poach wildlife.
The Timbavati Foundation was started in 2001. With an initial emphasis on wildlife education, they have grown into a well-respected and trustworthy organisation capable of putting funds into the right places to make maximum impact. They registered a capital trust fund in 2010 and since then have focused on four main areas,
1) Quality education
2) Conservation and wildlife
3) Community upliftment
4) Healthcare.
These have been chosen as they align with the Global Sustainable Development Goals and because these are areas that all need attention in the communities around the reserve.
The Timbavati Foundation Environmental School offers various sustainability programmes in neighbouring communities as well as in outreach and educational programmes in Primary Schools and High Schools. This school aims to promote environmental and conservation awareness, as well as, give access to the wildlife economy through in-field experiences and financial assistance for bursaries for further training in conservation and hospitality. It is also committed to supporting healthcare facilities including the Phelwana Clinic situated in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and operates a pilot clinic on the Foundation premises.
Community upliftment and the social care of people living in surrounding communities also forms an integral part of the Foundation’s mandate. The Timbavati Foundation support old age homes in the Arthurseat districts.
African Avenue has committed to a donation policy whereby it donates R1000 (+/- USD$60) for every visitor that travels with African Avenue. We would like to encourage you to match our donation. With this small amount we can make big changes.
We invite you to partner with us on this project, and help give your travel a meaning beyond just the journey of discovery.
See the Timbavati Foundation Website here.