Boots For Rangers In South Africa
Hi! I'm Kerry and the Founder of www.OverAndAboveAfrica.com.
We just returned from a 10 day research trip to South Africa where we met with some of the rangers and anti-poaching units (APU's) who risk their lives daily hiking through the rugged terrain just to ensure the safety of their rhino and elephants from poachers.
We were invited to go out on patrol with 3 of the APU teams on foot and although we only hiked a 7km path with them - we were exhausted by day's end! These brave souls walk up to 17km EVERY DAY just to lay eyes on all of their rhino and elephants and log them as safe. The rangers aren't funded or equipped like the poachers are and suffer because of it. We asked how we could make their jobs easier and they had such simple requests: better boots, flak jackets to protect them from sniper fire, camel packs for water and binocculars to help them see danger faster.
The region is extremely poor, unemployment is very high and the essentials are difficult to come by. If we can show them that the rest of the world CARES about them, and supports them in what they do, they will feel heroic with each step they take in boots we purchased for them and flak jackets we send to protect them!
We've committed to raise $5,000 to give the 24 rangers that we met all of the above. If, like us, you want to make their daily lives a little more safe and comfortable as they protect the rhino, elephants and lions from being poached - please donate to our fund - we will film them receiving the items we send and post to our website for you to enjoy your generosity and their appreciation!
Our aim is to have them arrive for Christmas! #GivingTuesday.
Over And Above Africa has a very simple plan; to raise funds from a global audience and use to conserve and protect Africa's most vulnerable animals from becoming extinct.
Thank you so very much for contributing - for more photos from our recent anti-poaching trip please visit www.OverAndAboveAfrica.com or our FB Page or Instagram Feed .
Kerry and the O&A Team
Two of the rangers we met who are risking their lives to keep lions, rhino and elephants safe in South Africa.
