Free Access to National Parks in the Cape Region during SA National Parks Week
South African National Parks (SANParks) will once again open its gates to South Africans during SA National Parks Week, taking place from 7 to 13 Sept...
IKapa Honorary Rangers supports Red Cross Youth Services Programme
The South African Red Cross Services volunteers run a weekly Kids Club programme for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), in the Western Cape. The children, of varying ages, are trained and taught valuable life skills in dealing with the challenges they face on a daily basis.
The Kids Club volunteer leaders have all undergone training in counseling, trauma and HIV/AIDS awareness. This helps the volunteers to understand the problems that the children have to deal with, whether it be the death of a loved one because of HIV/AIDS related illnesses, abuse or other traumatic experiences the child has to face.
Since the beginning of the year the SARCS have teamed up with the iKapa Honorary Rangers conducting nature awareness programmes within Table Mountain National Park. Outdoor trips with the Honorary Rangers are arranged, under their PEAP programme (People, Education and Awareness Programme). This programme includes walks up Table Mountain, showing the children the historical features such as the dams. They are also educated in the flora and fauna.
The latest event was a snake demonstration at the Red Cross offices in Wynberg, where the children and leaders were introduced to a variety of snakes, which they learnt about. Everyone was given the opportunity to touch the snakes and to learn, not only about their danger, but their beauty.