Will is a Year 13 student at Writtle College studying T-Level in Animal Management.
He has lived in South Woodham Ferrers all his life, and attended Elmwood Primary and William de Ferrers schools. He has been very fortunate to be accepted to go to Kruger National Park (South Africa) in April next year. He will be working with the African Conservation Experience (ACE) charity and volunteering at the Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre. During this experience he will be actively taking part in conservation work, focusing on protecting animals in their natural habitats. He will be learning how to conduct research and the monitoring of wildlife populations. He has the following aims:
- Work with local professionals from a diverse range of African cultures
- Develop research skills such as tracking lions, elephant and other species
- Develop his understanding of ethical issues such as hunting versus culling and how to tackle the Rhino crisis
- Collect data that can be used to inform management initiatives
- Develop his life skills by living with others in an unfamiliar environment by sharing duties such as cooking and cleaning
- Learn how to hike safely in a ‘Big Five’ area by recognising the tracks and signs of wildlife
He working with other Writtle students, lecturers and conservationists led by ACE. Daily conservation activities will include biodiversity game drives, setting up camera traps, using GIS cyber trackers to record the locations of animals, collate and interpret data for use by research projects and ACE, restore key habitats, and remove harmful invasive vegetation.
As part of his experience, he will work directly with the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Hoedspruit. Their mission is simple yet powerful: rescue, rehabilitate, and release wild animals while educating the public about conservation.
Your money will help him to fund this opportunity. He is a dedicated and passionate student of animal care and conservation. Although some of the money he raises will go towards his transport and basic accommodation, a significant contribution will go towards the conservation projects of ACE and the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre. The experience itself will be enriching for him on a personal and professional level.
The skills and confidence he will gain will be transformative and help him develop his career within animal care and conservation practices in the UK and possibly beyond.
Further information can be found at:
1. https://www.conservationafrica.net/
2. https://www.moholoholo.co.za/ 3. https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/college-courses/animal-care-and-management-behaviour
On a final note, Will would like to thank you for taking the time to read this and for your kind donation. Will is going to be writing a blog (which will be linked here) and sharing his conservation experiences. He will have limited access to the internet during the visit however there will be a lot of diary entries and photographs once he returns to the UK after the trip.
Will is appealing for your help with his fundraising. All monies go towards his airfare and the charity. He does work part time (Valentines Cuisine and the Party Kingdom) but he does need some fundraising help. Please scan the QR Code for more details, or alternatively put the following link into your browser. He would be more than happy to exchange your donation for any odd jobs you need doing. Thank you so much.
https://www.fundmytravel.com/campaign/Do3O55MgYb
