In 2024 this flagship initiative, now in its fourth successful year, hosted another 16 participants from five rural schools in the Boland and West Coast regions. The unique programme provides valuable insight and experience for girls before they make critical subject choices for Grade 10, and aims to inspire them to consider careers in conservation and the green economy.
During the June/July school holidays, the CLT hosted the girls and accompanying teachers at Ihlati Bush Camp for a transformative 5-day holiday programme. The girls were introduced to the world of leopard research and conservation with lessons from the CLT educators. Throughout the week, the girls met women conservationists from various organisations, showcasing diverse career paths and creating connections with inspiring role models. Some of the highlights included a visit to the West Coast Fossil Park where they learned about archaeology and palaeontology; a day at SANCCOB where they experienced wildlife rehabilitation efforts and learned about volunteer opportunities to support endangered marine species; and a workshop with the University of Stellenbosch’s Iimbovane Outreach Project, where the girls got a peek into the field of entomology. For many, discovering the complexities of ant species was a delightful surprise, sparking unexpected interest!
Recognising the importance of holistic wellbeing, the programme partnered with Mama Flo to host a workshop on women’s health and hygiene, encouraging open discussions and empowering the girls to help address period poverty within their communities. The importance of a healthy body and mind emerged as a key theme of the week. On the programme’s final day, the girls explored cultural conservation at the !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre, where they enjoyed a game drive and crafted tea from fynbos plants as they learned about indigenous knowledge and the importance of protecting cultural heritage.
Returning from the holiday programme, each group was tasked with three impactful service assignments designed to provide them with valuable skills. By completing these assignments, the girls contributed to their communities and advocated passionately for the environment. The assignments consisted of:
- peer information sessions where the girls designed presentations about their experiences and insights, sharing them with >400 classmates to raise awareness about conservation careers and opportunities in the green economy.
- Early Childhood Development (ECD) storybook readings where the girls read nature-themed stories to young children at ECD centres in their communities (reaching 200 young learners) and distributed 235 copies of the CLT’s Footprints in the Fynbos book to local centres and libraries.
- snare awareness workshops where the girls partnered with the CLT to host snare-awareness workshops for their peers, emphasising the threat of illegal wire snares to wildlife and educating the community on how to safely remove them from the environment. A total of 520 learners attended the five workshops, expanding awareness of this critical issue.
"I never thought I could find ants so interesting," one girl remarked to a friend during the holiday programme, capturing the spirit of discovery that defined this year’s Girls in Conservation programme. Through hands-on experiences and inspiring connections, the programme ignited curiosity, empowered young women, and opened doors to careers in conservation and the green economy whilst contributing to a healthy body and mind.
The 2024 Girls in Conservation programme was made possible thanks to the generous support of our donors, especially the Maria Marina Foundation.
Enjoy a selection of highlight images from this year’s programme in the gallery below!
