We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – the value of tourism cannot be underrated when it comes to community development and upliftment.
Giving back is a huge part of the ethos at Big Cave, and the camp has been involved with the local community since the 1990′s. Since its early days, clients that visited Big Cave were encouraged to donate funds, which were then invested into various community projects. One of the camp’s biggest focus areas over the years has been the Whitewaters Secondary School in Matobo, and the pupils that attend the school.
With 60% of the 460 school children being orphans, the school is in constant need of support. While some of the children are being cared for by grandparents, relatives neighbours or orphanages; the reality is that many of the children have no-one and it’s not uncommon to hear about their child-headed households.
Big Cave shares a little more about these children:
“In order to afford basic necessities like food and toiletries, children as young as 13 work in the fields at the end of the school day and some children do not attend school because they have to work to bring in money. Attending school has its own challenges. It is rare to find a pen, pencil or piece of paper in class because they are unaffordable. Children struggle with concentration because one meal a day is not enough for a growing and active child. Children can walk up to 20km each to get to school. School fees are the last of their priorities: only 15% can afford to do their ‘O’ levels and 5% can afford to do their ‘A’ levels.”
Clearly, the situation is far from ideal. However, in an effort to try and help as many of these children as possible, Big Cave is calling upon people to sponsor these children and help give them the childhood that they deserve. The project has been particularly successful over the past year, with sponsors covering the school fees and uniforms for 12 children (7 of which were paid for by T&G Wood), and Julia Phippen donated 4 bicycles which are helping children transport themselves to and from the school.
Get to know some of the children attending Whitewaters School and find out how you can help here. As little as $150 could pay for a child to attend school for an entire year. That’s a pretty worthy cause if you ask us.
A little more about Big Cave Camp
Nestled in amongst the boulders on top of a large granite whaleback, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Big Cave Camp’s thatch buildings were just a part of the rocky landscape. Blending seamlessly with the environment, the camp’s sophisticated African architecture incorporates the colossal boulders into its design, and boasts exceptional views across the famous Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe.
Giving back is a huge part of the ethos at Big Cave, and the camp has been involved with the local community since the 1990′s. Since its early days, clients that visited Big Cave were encouraged to donate funds, which were then invested into various community projects. One of the camp’s biggest focus areas over the years has been the Whitewaters Secondary School in Matobo, and the pupils that attend the school.
With 60% of the 460 school children being orphans, the school is in constant need of support. While some of the children are being cared for by grandparents, relatives neighbours or orphanages; the reality is that many of the children have no-one and it’s not uncommon to hear about their child-headed households.
Big Cave shares a little more about these children:
“In order to afford basic necessities like food and toiletries, children as young as 13 work in the fields at the end of the school day and some children do not attend school because they have to work to bring in money. Attending school has its own challenges. It is rare to find a pen, pencil or piece of paper in class because they are unaffordable. Children struggle with concentration because one meal a day is not enough for a growing and active child. Children can walk up to 20km each to get to school. School fees are the last of their priorities: only 15% can afford to do their ‘O’ levels and 5% can afford to do their ‘A’ levels.”
Clearly, the situation is far from ideal. However, in an effort to try and help as many of these children as possible, Big Cave is calling upon people to sponsor these children and help give them the childhood that they deserve. The project has been particularly successful over the past year, with sponsors covering the school fees and uniforms for 12 children (7 of which were paid for by T&G Wood), and Julia Phippen donated 4 bicycles which are helping children transport themselves to and from the school.
Get to know some of the children attending Whitewaters School and find out how you can help here. As little as $150 could pay for a child to attend school for an entire year. That’s a pretty worthy cause if you ask us.
A little more about Big Cave Camp
Nestled in amongst the boulders on top of a large granite whaleback, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Big Cave Camp’s thatch buildings were just a part of the rocky landscape. Blending seamlessly with the environment, the camp’s sophisticated African architecture incorporates the colossal boulders into its design, and boasts exceptional views across the famous Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe.
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