As a result of the extensive eco-friendly initiatives implemented at Camp Jabulani over the past two years, the 5-star luxury safari lodge in Hoedspruit, a proud member of the Relais & Châteaux Association, has introduced a new eco-project which will assist the community and the Paulos Ngobeni Primary School to grow their own vegetable gardens and facilitate a much needed soup kitchen. This new project is also in conjunction with the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC), Camp Jabulani’s sister property.

Owner and founder, Mrs Lente Roode sought the assistance of Dr Stone to provide training for all involved, especially the teachers, to use the provided guideline books in the classroom that will hopefully change the attitude of learners regarding the environment and indeed their own community.

The project educates Grade 5 learners to grow their own vegetable gardens and produce vegetables in order to start a soup kitchen at the school.  The learners visit HESC and are taken on an in-depth tour followed by various activities where they participate with the students from the Cheetah Conservation Programme. The children learn how to nurture the earth, grow their own vegetables, discover more about nutrition and gain hands on experience in the process.

Comments Managing Director Adine Roode: “Each staff member at HESC, Camp Jabulani and the school was supplied with a packet of seeds and instructions.  With the knowledge they gained, they are then able to implement and grow their own vegetable gardens. Wildlife plays a role in this too; Camp Jabulani will supply ‘worm wee’ from our in-house wormery, to the school and staff in order to fertilise the soil.”

Aside from this, Camp Jabulani also has art classes which are part of its Community Art Gallery at HESC.  The aim is for the children to learn skills and about art as a means of self-expression and the different artistic mediums.  The next art class will be held during the winter holidays. These initiatives form part of Camp Jabulani and the Centre’s extensive eco-friendly programmes held throughout the year.