20 Apr 2023

Lack of funding is hindering the Maun-based Okavango Human Wildlife Conflict Foundation (OHWCF) to support victims injured by wild animals.

The founder, Mr Kenosi Kamina confirmed in an interview that they were struggling to secure donors to aid the foundation to achieve its mandate of reducing human/wildlife conflict, promoting conservation as well as to support victims with permanent injuries from human/wildlife interactions.

He was responding to concerns from some victims who claimed that the foundation was failing to assist them as promised, adding that he was aware of some reports that the foundation was benefiting at the expense of the victims.

He urged human/wildlife conflict victims registered with OHWCF to be patient, noting that the foundation was doing everything in its power to serve them better.

He said they relied on donors and support from the business community to achieve their goal, adding that ‘currently we do not have a budget to assist you as we rely much on donors, individuals, the business community and some fundraising activities.

We appreciate your hardships and sad ordeals you are going through and I can assure you that we will continue to do our best to support you,” he added.

The foundation has registered close to 30 victims.

Mr Kamina said last year only two victims from Maun were assisted with washing machines.

One victim had her left arm cut by a crocodile while harvesting tswii while the other was attacked by an elephant and sustained a dislocated right collar bone, rendering the arm useless.

The crocodile attack survivor, he said, also received food hampers and an insurance policy with Kagiso Mortuary, thanks to Chobe 4X4 Safaris as they pledged to pay for the policy on a monthly basis.

Further, he noted that they pinned their hopes on donors from America who promised to assist victims with artificial arms, but the negotiations collapsed along the way while they sought advice from the Ministry of Health.

He said they intended to extend assistance to other areas this year, adding that they had victims in Kasane, Khwai, Mohembo, Seronga, Nata, Sekondomboro and Mababe, among others.

The foundation, he said, was expected to assist victims across the country.

“This year we intend to assist victims in the Chobe District through the proceeds we will accumulate from our Kasane Annual Charity Golf Cup activity,” he added.

The activity, which has become part of the Botswana Tourism Organisation’s calendar of events is scheduled for September 9, and Mr Kamina expressed hope that it would attract more businesses and individuals willing to assist the foundation.

The foundation, he said, was committed to impacting positively on the lives of the victims, adding that the aim was to assist them on rotational basis.

He said they intended to train able-bodied victims on entrepreneurial skills, to empower them to venture into income- generating projects.

He appreciated that following their assessment, many victims had high expectations from the foundation.

He said funds permitting, they would establish a centre to accommodate victims for closer monitoring.

Some victims, he said, needed psychosocial support and counselling.

One victim, Ms Buchilani Masole said they had been assessed in 2021 and promised to be assisted in three to six months, but such was in vain.

She said they were once told that some Australians would visit them to appreciate their living conditions, but such never materialised.

“We expected a lot of support from the organisation, but our expectations are in vain and it is frustrating as there was no communication from the foundation,” said Ms Masole, one of the duo who received a washing machine last year. ENDS