To be like a child again or one day, to experience the Kruger National Park (KNP) the way a child would, learning about animals and their habits, the importance of conservation and caring and the excitement of spotting an elusive leopard during a night drive.
That is exactly what South African petroleum giant, Total, made possible for a group of journalists from all over the country.
They attended the media launch of the Kids in Kruger initiative of the My Acre of Africa (MAOA) project in October last year.
The launch took place at Nkambeni tented lodge at Numbi Gate. Both projects are driven from the MAOA site in the KNP near the Phabeni Gate, benefitting thousands of children who live adjacent to the Park, but often do not have the opportunity to visit the park.
Total has been a principal sponsor of MAOA since 2005 and has already donated R17,5 million towards these initiatives to instill a love of nature in young South Africans, and an awareness and appreciation of the importance of conservation. Other major sponsors of MAOA are SANParks, SABC, South African Airways, National Lottery, Development Bank Of Southern Africa and ACSA.
"Our vision is to engage people all over the world, inspiring them to ensure the survival of Africa's wildlife, by raising money to create a significant endowment fund to supplement seriously depleted conservation budgets and by educating children about the importance of their cultural heritage.
MAOA is building environmental education facilities (made possible through National Lottery) and has already educated more than 24 000 learners from schools adjacent Kruger. The endowment fund is created through buying a brick to sponsor an acre of Africa, with each brick representing one of the 4 692 914 acres of the KNP.
By Mariana Balt
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