Even before I moved back to Zimbabwe at the beginning of this year, I have always had a special place in my heart for the animals of Zimbabwe. When I lived in Kwekwe I helped set up the very first MBRC T20 Cricket Tournament in 2012 (MBRC standing for Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy). The profits from this, now annual, eventgo in part to assisting the conservancy in the very important task of looking after our endangered rhino. I am extremely proud of my role in the initiation of this event.
If I loved animals before, living in remote Zambia, where the entire wild animal population had been poached out, made me appreciate how blessed we are in Zimbabwe to still have such abundant wildlife. We can in NO WAY take this for granted, or the professionals and volunteers alike, who dedicate their lives (literally) to our wildlife.
And so, Heartveld Adventures is committed to assisting in any way possible the locally run Kariba Animal Wildlife Fund Trust.
KAWFT was initially set up in 2010 by 3 Kariba residents, who themselves are passionate about our wildlife. The purpose of the fund is to raise funds (for) and awareness (of) our animals, as well as treating and helping them where need be. KAWFT works very closely with National Parks and Wildlife.
One of the projects that KAWFT initiated in 2011 was an anti-snaring patrol. This has been hugely successful and seen the number of snared animals drop but it is an ongoing fight, which we cannot forget. The anti-snare patrol operates 5 days a week and includes a ZPAWA ranger and two KAWFT rangers. This operation takes time, money and resources: the time is readily given by the dedicated rangers and volunteers, but the money and resources are in short supply in the current economic situation in Zimbabwe.
KAWFT also does regular call outs when animals are reported injured, and if needed take the necessary action to treat and assisting our wildlife.
If anyone is looking for a way to give back, donating to this worthy cause is a sure and rewarding way to do it. You can contact KAWFT on the details below or donate directly.
http://www.kawft.org/history.html
OR
https://www.facebook.com/KaribaAnimalWelfareFundTrustKariba/
KARIBA NUMBERS:
Sonya Mc Master +263 772 874 352
Debbie Ottman +263 773 996 487
WHATSAPP NUMBERS – for photos or messages
Debbie Ottman +263 784 512 921
Sonya Mc Master +263 778 733 784
