South Africa Trip – Animal reserve

My name is Louis Ray Stevens. I am a 15 year old pupil who is trying to raise funds so that I can partake in a school organised visit to an animal reserve in South Africa.

Why do I need to go?

As well as enhancing my GCSE Biology course, this trip offers self-funding volunteers, like me, a unique opportunity to work abroad at a leading wildlife conservation, rehabilitation and research program in South Africa.

A wildlife conservation program is the ultimate life changing and rewarding experience. It will give me the chance to become involved in a wide variety of wildlife conservation activities, including: wildlife research, animal rehabilitation and reintroduction, hands on animal care – including rearing and breeding of endangered animals, as well as everyday reserve maintenance and management.

Although this is a school trip, the conditions to partake in this trip are that we, as pupils, raise the money ourselves – through charitable donations and sponsorships, as this supports the ethos of the trip in terms of conservation. As you can appreciate, this trip is quite expensive - costing nearly £2000 in total! I have been trying to raise funds, by doing odd jobs and house chores: cat-sitting, yard sales, a Saturday job in a second hand bookshop, but it has not really touched the surface of this rather daunting total. I am also in the process of organizing a sponsored music event at my school, once term starts. Unfortunately, I have to pay an £800 deposit by November. If I cannot pay this at that time, then the hopes of going on the trip are over.

Any kind donation you are willing to give will really help me reach the target amount and serve towards me going on this venture and great opportunity for a worthy cause.

Please help me to achieve my goal of going on this school trip. It is an absolute must for anyone who is enthusiastic about wildlife, conservation and the environment – as I am. It will offer me the chance to take part in valuable and rewarding hands-on conservation work that provides a sustainable future for important ecosystems in South Africa.