We are extremely proud to share a partnership that reflects the unwavering belief in the young people from our rural communities
Recently, we supported seven young people from rural KwaZulu-Natal to take part in an immersive conservation and science experience just outside Kruger National Park. For many of them, this was their first exposure to conservation work. It was also their first time seeing themselves in spaces they had only encountered in textbooks.
One participant, Sanelisiwe Ndlovu, captured that moment beautifully:
“I was excited to get to see the biggest park known as Kruger National Park with my own eyes as I was used to see it in school books and in social media.”
Over two weeks, the group engaged in fieldwork, vegetation and soil data collection, bird counts, biodiversity lectures and conservation discussions. They encountered elephants, lions, snakes and ecosystems they had never experienced up close. They learned the science behind biodiversity, the importance of carbon levels in soil, and the interconnectedness of land, animals and people.
But the learning extended far beyond technical knowledge.
For some, it was about confidence in unfamiliar environments. Sanelisiwe reflected:
“Now I feel more confident and I will definitely know how to combat other new environments or situations coming my way.” For Velenkosini, the experience built communication and problem-solving skills that will shape his future career: “This experience gave me confidence to speak and express myself.”
Instructor and Biological Officer Shane Sifiso Ngwenya observed that these young people, all from non-conservation backgrounds, performed at a level equal to, and in some cases beyond, students already studying in the field. That speaks volumes about the depth of talent that exists in rural communities, and what can happen when exposure meets opportunity.
This partnership is about allowing young people to see themselves as scientists, conservationists, leaders and thinkers. It promotes confidence built through experience; collecting data accurately, presenting ideas, asking questions, working as a team and adapting in environments that initially feel overwhelming.
We are deeply grateful to Nsasani Trust, Madrinha Trust and Kruger National Park for their partnership in making this experience possible. Together, we are opening doors and ensuring that young people from rural KwaZulu-Natal can see, and step into, futures that once felt out of reach.
