Covid Community Support

For many of us, a visit to our national parks is a pilgrimage of sorts – some of us visit annually, some less often.

As enthusiastic visitors to our national parks we often pass communities, en route to our holiday destinations, whose lives and livelihoods are inextricably linked to the park we visit and to the tourists who (normally) flock to them. Tourism is their lifeblood, providing employment and business opportunities (from selling crafts and fresh produce to driving taxis).

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, tourism has dried up, with drastic repercussions for both parks and people. Not only is there less income for conservation, but there is also less income for the people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the daily influx of tourists to the parks. Without tourism, families have been left destitute and desperate.

We, as volunteers who support our national parks, care deeply about these people, and would like to help them and make their lives a bit easier.

According to a SANParks media release issued on 19 May 2020, an estimated R13 million will be required to purchase food parcels, hygiene products, education materials and water tanks for approximately 7500 families bordering national parks (Source: SANParks ).

We therefore invite you to join hands with us to make a difference for these communities. As we take care of them in their hour of need, we build hope for a stronger future together – for both people and the parks that sustain them.

How to help:
• Please click here to make a donation.  Funds will be allocated on a needs-based approach and will include, inter alia¸ food, hygiene products and water tanks.
• Support SANParks staff and rangers by making a donation to “Embrace NP”
• Support the dogs at the K9 units, who still have to work and be fed under lockdown.

• Given Gain (please email receipt to connect@sanparksvolunteers.org)

Photos ©SANParks