For many of us, a visit to our national parks is a pilgrimage of sorts some of us visit annually, others less often. To get there, we may pass local communities whose lives and livelihoods are inextricably linked to the national parks we visit and to the tourists who (normally) flock to them. Tourism is their lifeblood, providing employment and business opportunities (whether it be selling crafts or fresh produce, or driving taxis).
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism, which is the main source of income for these communities, has dried up with drastic repercussions both for national parks and people. Not only is there less income for conservation, but there is also less income for the people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the daily influx of tourists to our national parks. Without this income, many families have been left hungry and desperate.
We, as passionate supporters of our national parks, would like to help these people to ease their desperation and enhance their lives.
According to a South African National Parks media release issued on 19 May 2020, an estimated R13 million will be required to purchase food parcels, hygiene products, education materials and water tanks for approximately 7500 families bordering national parks throughout South Africa (Source: SANParks http://www.sanparks.org)
We invite you to stand together with us to make a difference for these communities and the national parks that sustain them.
Funds will be managed by the SANParks Honorary Rangers and allocated according to a needs-based approach to procure food, hygiene products and water tanks.
Donations can be made via the following two links:
Givengain - https://bit.ly/2yuCG8Q please email the confirmation to [email protected]
Our website - https://bit.ly/2LVD2sr