A wild connection | Lessons in Conservation

As they teach, the LiC team finds incredible individuals in the most remote communities. Philemon from Zimbabwe is one such inspiring person — completely blind, yet the team reckons they learned more from him! On arrival, Philemon recited the most amazing and complicated poem on conservation (something he must have spent hours memorising). And it remains a moving memory for everyone as they saw his passion and care for the planet, knowing he would never see it for himself.

LiC is also spotting outstanding students who display drive, passion and a desire to work in conservation. These learners are then sponsored to complete a FGASA course — to become qualified game rangers and find continuous employment in the industry.  Learners such as Phiwo Masimula, who receive these bursaries, often go on to return to LiC and teach new generations to maintain a perpetual cycle of conservation.

With his infectious enthusiasm, Phiwo became LiC’s first student in its closed-loop cycle. Since then, Phiwo has personally taught hundreds of children every year, often simply with his laptop under the shade of a tree. And, as part of its development agreement, he frequently visits his home to work with his own community in the Shewula region.