EDUCATING THE CUSTODIANS OF THE FUTURE CHILDREN IN THE WILDERNESS An environmental and life-skills educational programme that focuses on the next generation of rural decision-makers, Children in the Wilderness (CITW) is proving that exposure is a key ingredient in youth development.
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s community engagement and CITW administrator from Wilderness Safaris, Agnes Tjirare shares the programme’s approach to helping rural children push their limits and achieve their dreams. “Our goal is to contribute to the development of rural children in Namibia by creating learning sanctuaries for vulnerable children,” she says.
“This is where we help the children to apply what they have learnt in their curriculum. They enjoy themselves and experience nature, while the camps also give them a chance to see what direction they are interested in going, so that when they leave camp, we can help find them mentors to help them continue on their learning journey.” At the high-school level, a second phase of Children in the Wilderness begins: the Youth Environmental Stewardship. Here older students are exposed to more career options.
CITW focuses on rural children mainly because they don’t have the same opportunities as children in urban settings. “Most of these children come from remote villages far away from where they are attending school. That means they come and live either with guardians or in child-lead homes, which increases their level of vulnerability. And their exposure level is also minimal.
“We know that not all children are interested in the tourism sector, so we help to expose them to corporations and individuals in fields where they might be able to excel. We help find them mentors and support for their education. “The students meet professionals in various fields and get more in-depth career-path information. We also take them to other parts of the country, like Swakopmund, to explore marine sciences, and Windhoek, where they visit museums and universities, and talk to business people at companies like Price Waterhouse Coopers and Deloitte, and learn about human rights.”
“Through Children in the Wilderness Eco-Clubs, the children are taught about the importance of conservation. They are taught about human-wildlife conflict, the significance of recycling and reusing, and not to waste water, for example,” says Agnes. “It’s all about caring for nature and giving back in ways that add value to their lives.” Along with Eco-Clubs and camps operated by Wilderness Safaris, teachers at schools in rural areas where the company operates are provided with a curriculum that includes environmental education, hygiene and the importance of nutrition. Some schools, like the school at Bergsig, have received support from Wilderness Safaris guests to start a comprehensive library.
Wilderness Safaris believes that Africa needs young and energetic future leaders who are inspired and who understand the significance of sustainable business, development and conservation on the continent. Agnes adds, “We try to spread good values, and these children can carry on the dream.”
“At the core of Children in the Wilderness are annual camps, where we invite children in order to expose them to what guests from all over the world do. The children sleep at the lodge, use the facilities, are taken out on game drives and walk with professional guides, and are treated to meals cooked by professional chefs.
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