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Background of the South African
children
* Rural South African children have
been living in villages, usually far from towns. Their facilities are very
limited, with few schools and clinics. They have had no electricity in the
past, and most of them have to walk considerable distances for water.
* There are large numbers of people
living in these rural areas and there is limited funding available to uplift
them. The biggest problem is finding funds for these improvements.
* There has been an improvement of
roads, schools and clinics for many years, even long before apartheid was
abolished, and although slow, progress has been made. The new Government has
accelerated this progression of improving their lives, but it will take many
years.
* Most villages have schools,
clinics and now electricity. Most still have no running water or sanitation
available at the houses. The population is rapidly growing, with families
having an average of 8 children per household.
* The existing schools are
overcrowded, with up to 160 children per class.
* Wild animals in or near the
villages have been eliminated for many generations by persistent hunting.
Traditionally the men will hunt for food, and the children are brought up to
believe that any wild animal should be killed. Many animals are also killed
for traditional medicine and superstitious beliefs in magic.
Problems of these children
* Many children have never had the
opportunity to see the natural wild animals that are their heritage.
* Because of the large number of
people living in the villages, employment, health and education is of a very
low standard. There are too many people to be supported by too few.
* Because of the overcrowded
classes, the children don’t get the education they could in smaller classes.
It is hard to stay concentrated in a big crowd, so the children are
sometimes ‘switched off’ during school time. Many have not grasped the very
basics of education.
* Because education is poor, many
of these children await a future of unemployment.
* Because complacency has been a
way of life for generations it is difficult to get the children motivated
enough to plan their future.
Why do they need education?
* By educating the children about
nature conservation and animal welfare, we can give them the chance to make
a difference.
* By educating these children about
social behaviour, life skills and communication, we give these children more
self confidence and awareness of the opportunities in life.
* Education enables people to make
informed decisions in life.
Why is it so important to take them
into the bush?
The environment is their heritage.
It is important for our future generations to understand the vital necessity
of looking after nature.
* Interaction with the environment
is the best tool for education
* It is easier to learn something
and to remember when you see, touch, feel, smell and taste it. By being
educated in the bush the children have the opportunity to use all their
senses.
* It is easier to inspire
compassion and care for animals when they see and interact with them.
* They have no experience of the
natural environment and by having this experience they can pass on their
knowledge to the next generations.
* The education they receive at
Daktari should assist them in obtaining gainful employment either in
conservation or tourism.
Orphaned animals as an educational
medium
* By taking care of orphaned
animals, children discover compassion and learn responsibility for life in
general. .
* Interaction with animals is more
meaningful than pictures and classroom lessons.
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