The sun had long dipped below the horizon and the anticipation of another delicious dinner had melted into full-bellied satisfaction. It was the end of a fantastic day of activities, thought-provoking lessons and wildlife safaris with the latest children from ARRC (Animal Relief for Rural Communities). Just then, as we all gravitated towards the campfire, a tell-tale splash was heard nearby followed by a soft yet familiar rumble. Tracey, one of the founders of ARRC, dashed towards us. “There are elephants at the waterhole!” she chimed.
Excited, the group rushed towards the fence with a spotlight – eager to glimpse the giants just beyond the fence. With help from Tracey and the Koru team to shine the spotlight only at the elephants’ feet, the children quietly watched as the herd gently submerged the tips of their trunks into the water before deftly curling it up and spraying the precious drink into their mouths. Elephantine rumbles of delight permeated the air, mixing with sporadic giggles from the mesmerised audience standing just a few metres away.
Eventually, their thirsts satiated, the tranquil herd slowly wandered back into the darkness. The spell broken, the children returned to the campfire to read a story with Dineo before turning in for the night.
Based in Selwane, a rural and poverty-stricken village outside of the Kruger National Park, the ARRC team has a deep passion for instilling a love of animals in community children. Their original – and continued – focus is on improving the welfare of domestic and working animals in these rural communities through free veterinary care, education and ethical donkey harnesses. Realising that educating children about wildlife conservation and animal welfare is a potential long-term solution, they provide a weekly nourishing meal and after-school program. For ARRC, being able to bring them into nature – to experience it for themselves at Koru Camp – is both a wonderful motivator and a key part of their long-term strategy.
Over three days the group enjoyed incredible safaris between their environmental lessons, including multiple sightings of our local lion pride. On one occasion, we even came across the entire pride of ten slumbering just 50 metres from camp! Another of the ARRC team, community member Mama Margreth, exclaimed how it was also her very first time on safari and seeing animals in the wild. Having lived her whole life just an hour from the Kruger National Park, it was deeply moving to see her enthusiasm and joy at finally seeing it for herself. With the trip well and truly at an end, there was time for one last group photo before the elated group boarded the Koru game viewer for the last time to begin the journey home.
Koru Camp would like to extend a huge thank you to ARRC for partnering with us and sharing our mission of inspiring and educating the next generation of wildlife guardians and animal advocates!
