Vivian Mosheti: From a CITW Success Story to Wilderness Safaris Staff Chef and Eco-Mentor

Vivian Mosheti grew up in the small village of Beetsha, Botswana, in a family with three siblings. Despite the hardships she faced while growing up, and thanks to her supportive mother, she is now a Staff Chef for Wilderness Safaris camps in the Okavango Delta.

Vivian’s mother, who is currently a housekeeper at Vumbura Plains, has been her role model since she was a little girl. She made it possible for Vivian to receive further education and training after completing her secondary studies. She was able to enrol and complete a hospitality course in Food Production at the Career Dreams Centre – a hospitality and tourism learning institution based in Botswana.

Apart from being a chef, Vivian also volunteers as a Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Eco-Mentor and activity leader on CITW Botswana’s annual Eco-Club camps. She was first introduced to CITW in 2009 when she participated as a camper while completing her Standard 7 (Grade 9) schooling. Given her background, Vivian is passionate about educating and empowering children so that they have a chance at a better life too.

Eco-Mentors are a critical component of the CITW programme as they are the leaders who teach and inspire children by interacting and running regular Eco-Club lessons with them. Many of the children participating in the programme come from rural and under-developed communities and often grow up in very challenging conditions.

Vivian hopes to study social work one day, to gain the professional skills in helping children within the CITW programme and her community. As a social worker she believes she could help children overcome the many social inadequacies that often arise from growing up in a rural community, such as poverty and unemployment.

“Every day I am grateful for the supportive mother who brought me into this world and empowered me to be the woman I am today. My dream is to inspire others to realise and follow their dreams in life in spite of their circumstances”, says Vivian.