CHILDREN IN THE WILDERNESS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF INSPIRING POSITIVE ACTION

To date, CITW has enriched the lives of more than 40 000 children in eight countries which include Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, Rwanda, Seychelles, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – creating armies of young eco-warriors. 

At primary school level, CITW runs dozens of weekly Eco-Clubs, led by Eco-Mentors (specially trained teachers), spreading conservation learnings and ethos. Across the regions once a year, Wilderness camps closest to a partner school close to paying guests in order to host up to 30 local children for four days of immersion in the wilderness, wildlife experiences, practical training, and games. 

The CITW Botswana programme is currently being implemented in eight schools in Botswana’s North West District, in the villages of Seronga, Gunotsoga, Eretsha, Beetsha, Gudigwa, Sankoyo, Tubu, Habu and Maun, six schools in Bobirwa, and one in Gaborone (Tshwaragano Primary School in Old Naledi). CITW Botswana also recently partnered with the FNB Foundation at Parakarungu Primary School, signing a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate a three-year partnership designed to further expose children to sustainable environmental conservation through CITW Botswana.

With YES – the Youth Environmental Stewardship Programme – CITW supports secondary school students who show an aptitude for environmental leadership, building their skill-sets and preparing them for careers in conservation and related fields. Recently, CITW Botswana ran a Conservation Science Camp for Girls in rural areas, funded by the US Embassy in Gaborone. The aim of the Camp is to help girls in rural areas develop their interest in environmental conservation and STEM related subjects. The long-term goal of this initiative is to help ensure participants continue into environmental and STEM-based tertiary degree programmes and career trajectories. The next camp is being hosted in December 2021.

CITW also offers up to 600 scholarships annually to help students finish school, as well as post-graduation employment counselling, further training, and internships. To date, over 4 000 children in Botswana have participated and benefited from the CITW programme. 

Over the years, CITW graduates have gone on to become field guides, chefs, camp managers, pilots, and teachers.  CITW Botswana has seen tremendous impact to date, with a firm focus on the next generation of decision-makers; inspiring them to care for their natural heritage and to become the custodians of these areas in the future. 

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