My Enviromentalist Cadet Trip To KwaZulu-Natal

Hi, my name is Peter Bailey, I am 16, and I'd like to share with you an amazing opportunity to make a difference. I shall, along with 66 others, who have been selected from hundreds of applicants across the UK, will be going to KwaZulu-Natal. Whilst there, we shall be doing a range of activities to help the local Zulu populace.

This includes, but is not limited to, introducing a viable source of income through tourism, and helping them to open their land and villages to the respectful tourists who are willing to support them. We may also - although this has NOT yet been confirmed due to the poaching risks - be conducting a census of Rhino and other endangered species at key areas of KwaZulu-Natal. We are lucky enough to have been subsidised as part of the Combined Cadet Force and Army Cadet Force by the Ministry of Defence. However this has still left a shortfall of over £1000 to be covered by myself and my parents. This is what we could really use help with.

To get this far, we have had to, and shall continue to, pass several week-long selection events, including gaining military and civilian qualifications such as the Summer Mountain Foundation course. This consists of a five day event focussing on navigational and dynamic risk assessment tasks at both night and day. So far the M.O.D. has provided Tenting equipment, but we have had to provide all other essentials and travel arrangements at our own cost, reaching up to just under £700. This has not been included in the crowd fund as this money has already been committed, but any over funding will go towards repaying my parents.

TL;DR

The money required - £1000 - is a minimal cost to cover only the price of being allowed to attend the trip. This does not cover the money required to pay for travel to and from the four training events (£62 there and back each time), the money spent on equipment and food (just under £700) and the money we shall use to attempt to open tourism with the Zulu people (buying items from them etc.).

I shall be really grateful for any donations made to help improve the lives of the Zulu people and the boost community cohesion of the many cultures to be found in KwaZulu-Natal. I hope you find this a worthwhile cause to back, and I shall be sure to update this page regularly with photos and posts covering the training and trip.

Many thanks,

Peter Bailey.