20 Feb 2023

Children in the Wilderness (CITW) programme has been useful in affording many young people a chance to explore their potential, help develop their careers and find employment.

Established in 2001 and spearheaded by Wilderness Safari Company, the programme facilitates Eco Environment Clubs (EEC) at schools and runs camps at Wilderness Safaris and partner camps, to teach learners environmental education.

Through its CITW programme, beneficiaries are offered life skills training, leadership development and environmental conservation education that focuses on the next generation of rural communities.

Many of the beneficiaries have now been placed in various nature reserves and conservation organisations while some have embarked on productive and profitable business ventures. 

One such beneficiary is 26-year-old Kemelo Kopano of Tubu in the Okavango District who now works as a professional guide at one of the company’s campsite in the heart of Linyanti reserve in the far North of Botswana.

Mr Kopano enrolled in the programme in 2008 while at Tubu Primary School and continued participating until he finished  Form Five. 

Mr Kopano believes so much that the programme shaped his future. “I am now conversant with environmental and conservation related issues and I am happy that I am living my dream,” said Mr Kopano. 

Not only has it benefited him, he appreciates that it has helped students from remote areas establish careers.

Growing up in a small village where the majority of residents worked in the tourism industry, Mr Kopano wished to join the programme because he fancied being a professional guide. 

He recalled being among learners who were selected to participate in one of the annual camps where they were treated to an educational and fun-filled programme that included lessons, games, practical sessions and wildlife activities.

“CITW presented an extraordinary opportunity for many of us to build a better future. 

It has helped me see beyond the classroom and plan for my future career,” stated Mr Kopano whom after completing Form Five, without any hesitation due to being an ex-camper, responded to Wilderness Company advert calling for eco- mentors .

It was his lucky day because the company sponsored him to pursue a four-month training in conservation, leadership skills and field range at the Southern African Wildlife College, South Africa. 

After completion, he enrolled with Botswana Wildlife Training Institute to become a professional tour guide after which he worked at several Wilderness campsites such as Abu, Vumbra as a trainee guide.

“Currently, I am working at Savuti campsite and I can encourage youngsters to embrace the programme in order to penetrate into the tourism industry. 

This is a good initiative which can bring about change in our lives and I urge many youngsters to take it seriously,” he added.

The programme, he said, also helped schools deliver quality education and local companies to offer work opportunities. 

Mr Kopano hopes to eventually own a mobile safari company and create employment for fellow young people.

He expressed gratitude to Wilderness Safaris for empowering local communities and playing a meaningful role in protecting biodiversity of its pristine wilderness areas. 

Giving a brief background of the programme, Wilderness Safari stakeholder manager, Mr Moalosi Lebekwe explained that the initiative had benefited more than 4 500 pupils since inception.

He said the initiative had succeeded in affording learners from rural areas an opportunity to build knowledge on environmental issues so they were more appealing for employment in the conservation space or further their education if they so wished. ENDS