The threat of rhino poaching has moved into the western corridor of the Kruger National Park, where several of &Beyond's safari lodges are situated. In response to this heightened danger, &Beyond rangers Mark Shaw, Lennox Mathebula and Lyson Ngwenya, along with Black Aces soccer stalwart Gordon Gilbert, will set out on foot into the communities surrounding these lodges on an 11-day awareness walk.
The Footprints of Hope walk, the first of many more challenges to come, will begin at &Beyond Kirkman's Kamp on Thursday, 29 December. The group will move through the nearby communities, where they will stop for educational visits and three 'Goal is Life' soccer competitions. When the walkers reach &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve in the Kruger they will walk through Big Five territory and sleep out in the bush.
At every step of the way, the campaign aims to spread awareness about the significance of the rhino, the benefits that it and other wildlife bring to the communities and the role that those communities can play in its preservation. The team will also be raising funds for Africa Foundation's education and development projects in the communities that they will be walking through, namely Huntington; Justicia; Lillydale; Dumphries; Hluvukani; Tlhavekisa; and Welverdiend.
They will also spread the message of &Beyond's Life Skills programme, developed to empower people to help themselves. This is underpinned by &Beyond's belief that the only way to change behaviour to benefit the environment is to foster a shift in people's values. It is also vital for people living adjacent to conservation areas to benefit directly from ecotourism and this is one of &Beyond's core founding principles.
Gordon and the team will be posting daily blogs to document their progress on http://www.andbeyond.com/footprints_of_hope/. The blog also features detailed information on the route and characters involved in the challenge, as well as donation details for those wishing to make a pledge, no matter how big or small.
