4.  Lisa Gower,  The Bushcamp Company, Mfuwe, Zambia, Africa

Lisa (right, middle row) and girls from Mfuwe Day School.

I visited many schools and projects across Africa that need support.   One real stand out, is the work that Andy Hogg, the owner of The Bushcamps Company is doing in Mfuwe, Zambia.  He has hired Lisa Gower to run the company’s conservation and community projects through their charitable organization, ‘Charity begins at Home’.  Lisa Gower is from the UK where she worked in hotel management for a number of years.  An opportunity arose out of the blue to visit a friend in Mfuwe, Zambia and her life took an unexpected turn.  Just two months later, Lisa swapped her high heels and corporate life and found herself living in the heart of Mfuwe.

Increasingly guests, such as myself, are becoming more interested in combining their safari activities with experiencing  life in the community, visiting the schools the company supports, and meeting and interacting with the children.  I was so touched by my visit to the school that, Lisa helped me select a student in need of sponsorship, Joseph Banda,  who at the age of 21 wanted the chance to finally attend high school.    To give you an idea of how little it takes to give someone a chance, his schooling, supplies (from toothpaste to notebooks) for term two of grade 10, full year 2013 (grade 11) and FY2014 (grade 12) is $752 USD.

Joseph Banda in his Mfwue Secondary School uniform. Photo courteously of Lisa Gower.

Sadly, Joseph is not alone, approximately 50 percent of the pupils who attend the local schools are orphaned and live on their own or with extended family and have no means of paying for their school fees.  Lisa manages a sponsorship program which now supports 280 pupils through college.  This allows the children to receive an education they otherwise would not be able to receive and in turn become employable and able to support their families and the next generation.

How guests can help:  From a pencil, a monetary donation or sponsoring a child– everything makes a difference!   Every guest who visits A Bushcamp Company property, contributes to the Luangwa Conservation and Community Fund– 50 percent of the funds raised goes to conservation projects and 50 percent to community projects. For more information contact Lisa Gower lisa@bushcampcompany.com or visit the community page.

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