Cue the arrival of Terri-Helen Gaynor.
An astonishingly skilled Aussie with a CV longer than a giraffe’s neck, Terri-Helen discovered Koru while scouting for ways to give back through Australian Volunteers International. She immediately hit it off with CEO Corné Havenga, and as Terri-Helen puts it, “I just loved what Peter and Corné are doing and could see that I could add value. I also have a lot of South African friends, so it was a no-brainer.”
Describing herself as a “bit of a nomad,” Terri-Helen has worked all around the globe, sharing her expertise in government relations, PR, and marketing with a profound understanding of both corporate and NGO organizations. From campaigns as varied as HIV/AIDS awareness and the Olympic Games to the handover of Hong Kong to China, Terri-Helen has earned her stripes. As you can imagine, we could not be more thrilled to officially welcome her as Koru Camp’s Fundraising and Marketing Mentor!
During her 12-month hybrid assignment between Australia and South Africa, Terri-Helen’s main objectives are to add value on a day-to-day basis, develop new ideas to raise Koru Camp’s profile and expand its funding and operational base.
What does that look like daily? For the most part, she says, it could be “anything from writing proposals for grants to governments and philanthropic organisations to PR and marketing and everything that entails. In reality, it’s also being a sounding board for the team to come up with ideas to fulfil the mission and vision of Koru Camp.”
When not using her PR powers for good, Terri-Helen is also a passionate sportswoman, reader, and birdwatcher. Shortly after landing in our local town of Hoedspruit, she finally got the chance to visit Koru Camp for herself, something she says has been one of her highlights so far. “Meeting the kids and staff, you just can’t wipe the smile off your face seeing their enthusiasm. It’s really amazing – but also has such potential to develop further and even replicate the model across Africa and, in time, globally.”
On behalf of the entire Koru Team, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Terri-Helen for believing in our cause and volunteering her time and skills for an entire year. With her on board, we are more excited than ever about the future and the opportunity to continue sharing the magic of nature with our local communities for many years to come. Together, we are not only nurturing a love for wildlife but also planting the seeds for a sustainable future.
