Training tomorrow's rhino rangers
Training tomorrow's rhino rangers

Training tomorrow's rhino rangers

Cindy Van Wyk
STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK



The Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has received a N$1.11 million donation from the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation to develop innovative ways to nurture reading skills among the youth and protect rhinos in the Kunene Region.

The funds will be utilised for the rhino rangers programme, which supports rangers from local communities, but also the Rhino Pride Campaign.

The SRT said it has experienced that while law enforcement strategies continue to dominate efforts to combat poaching, integrating a mix of innovative strategies to improve the value local people attach to saving rhinos provides a more lasting, positive impact.

One of the aims is to use environmental education and awareness as tools to improve the value people attach to saving nature.



Reading and rhinos

“In northwest Namibia's Kunene Region, reading and rhinos share a commonality: Both are under threat. However, with this donation, the SRT will team up with local experts that could unlock opportunities to improve outcomes for both,” the trust said.

Mondesa Youth Opportunities (MYO) is a non-governmental organisation that provides supplementary learning opportunities to learners. While MYO's approach includes numerous subjects, it has extensive experience in teaching reading literacy.

“Both SRT and MYO have blazed new trails in their respective fields and together we seek to address two looming threats to both the rural people and an iconic Namibian treasure such as the black rhino.

“The donation from the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation will address low literacy rates among the region's youth as well as the persistent threat poaching holds for the globally important black rhino population,” SRT CEO Simson Uri-Khob said.

The Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation is the joint socio-economic development vehicle of Debmarine Namibia and Namdeb Diamond Corporation, which endeavours to leave a lasting diamond legacy in Namibia through partnering with local communities on sustainable projects and initiatives.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

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