US Embassy to launch nature conservation projects in Okavango
| Thursday September 4, 2014 15:46
According to the Embassy’s Information Specialist, Laona Segaetsho, the Embassy will inject P700,000 towards the projects. Part of the money is expected to be donated to Children in the Wilderness (CITW). Segaetsho told media that the money will be used so support environmental education programmes in 10 villages across the Okavango region.
“These programmes will reach 500 children who attend regular eco-clubs and enable youth to participate in trips to environmentally important areas in the region. The programme also provides pedagogical training and mentoring to teachers, and produces environmental education material,” she stated.
Segaetsho also indicated that the US government will fund CITW with a grant of P105,000 to support adult eco-clubs. Segarona said this was an economic empowerment project anticipated to provide members in Shashe with intensified mentoring and training, as well as supplies for bee-keeping and craft production. Through these skills acquisitions, they would create, market and sell their own products to earn a steady income and improve their economic status.
“The US Embassy in Botswana remains committed to helping the government and people of Botswana not only preserve the Okavango Delta as a unique natural heritage site, but also contribute to the region’s economic diversification, rural development, and poverty reduction through these community-level programs,” she added.
CITW is a non-profit organisation supported by an eco-tourism company called Wilderness Safaris. Its main objective was to facilitate sustainable conservation through leadership development of rural children in Africa. CITW Botswana camps began in 2001 where it has hosted 1475 children so far.
According to Mary Hastag of CITW, the organisation’s main objective is to ensure that they empower young people, and develop the insight and commitment required to conserve Africa’s pristine wilderness.
“If we are to ensure that these places continue to exist in this generation and those to come, we must ensure the rural children of Africa understand the importance of conservation and its relevance in their lives. Our CITW children’s program is an environmental and life skills educational programme dedicated to groom the next generation. We want to inspire them to care for their natural heritage and become future custodians of these areas,” she added.