International Literacy Day: Wilderness' Commitment to Education

Our most extensive literacy initiative is currently underway in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Through our partnership with the Zambezi Schoolbook Project, which facilitated the donation of books from Books for Africa in the US, we have received 30 tonnes of books – equivalent to the weight of six adult elephants!

These books, a mixture of leisure and reading-scheme books aimed at primary school children, are structured set books designed to help children learn to read step by step, which is crucial as literacy levels are very low post-COVID.

This massive undertaking spans multiple regions, with 10 tonnes delivered to our Eco-Club partner schools in Hurungwe on the border of Mana Pools National Park, and 20 tonnes being distributed in and around Hwange, Tsholotsho, and Lupane. Some books are also making their way to our Eco-Club schools in Zambia, transported across the iconic Victoria Falls bridge.

As Sue Goatley, Wilderness Zambezi Impact Manager, proudly reports, ‘The children’s faces said it all – pure joy and excitement as they began opening the boxes upon boxes full of books. For many, it was the first time they’d seen so many different stories in one place, and the curiosity and wonder on their faces was unforgettable. The teachers showed an overwhelming sense of relief, knowing they finally have the tools to support their students in a meaningful way. Out here, where resources are so limited, a book means so much more than just reading material. It’s a window into new worlds and new ideas, and you could see right away what it meant to them’.

In Rwanda, we are supporting adult literacy through our partnership with Indego Africa, a non-profit helping women, in some cases from refugee camps, break cycles of poverty through economic empowerment and education. The Wilderness Trust recently donated USD10,772 to support their English language programme, addressing a critical barrier for women artisans who have expressed the need to be able to communicate with tourists in English when selling their artistry.

Working with the School of Professionals in Kigali, this six-month programme is helping 20 women artisans from Indego Africa's co-operatives — 10 from Kigali and 10 from surrounding regions. English proficiency is essential for participating in the global marketplace, especially for entrepreneurs selling handcrafted products to international visitors and online markets.

As one co-operative member from Mahama Refugee Camp expressed: ‘We request English training so that we can all be able to read and write... [and] speak with our guests and clients’. Through our partnership with Indego, we can proudly say that we are helping them do that.

Tanzania represents one of our most dramatic transformation stories, where CITW has literally moved children from lessons under trees to lessons inside about the trees. Despite being situated next to the world-famous Serengeti National Park, local communities have historically lacked basic educational infrastructure.

After a generous grant from Travel Elevates, CITW completed a comprehensive classroom refurbishment at Gwikongo Primary School in the Serengeti region, directly benefitting over 500 children. What was once a harsh outdoor learning environment has become an inspiring, fully-equipped indoor learning centre, complete with rainwater harvesting, electricity connections, and sustainability-focused infrastructure.

Doctor Tipay, our CITW Tanzania Community Project Co-ordinator, who led the transformation, reflects: ‘Together we've completed a classroom that will serve over 500 children, giving them not just a space to learn, but a chance to dream bigger. Working alongside local builders, teachers, government officials, and the community reminded me of what's possible when everyone pulls in the same direction’.

In Botswana, in partnership with the country’s North West District Council, the Eretsha village community, and partners in the tourism industry, we recently handed over new infrastructure to Eretsha Primary School – a CITW partner school situated near Wilderness Vumbura. The handover marks the completion of a community development project worth BWP2 million, demonstrating our commitment to creating safe, inspiring learning environments. Completed in January 2025, this initiative provided two fully furnished classrooms, perimeter fencing, and solar-powered lighting that enhances visibility and deters elephants from the school grounds.

This project benefits 64 students directly through new classrooms, while all 247 students, teachers, and community members benefit from the enhanced safety measures.

In Kenya, our CITW programme continues expanding across nine Eco-Club schools, with the recent addition of Enkereri Primary School in the Masai Mara region. Through Governors' Camp guest donations, we've enhanced educational resources at the TAFA Community Centre in Naivasha, purchasing three computers and two whiteboards supporting computer literacy classes. Additionally a USD3,000 donation enabled the purchase of 75 desks and chairs for Mara Rianda Primary School.

Our expanded bursary programme has welcomed 19 new students starting their final school term. Ten of these students are supported through a grant from the Wilderness Trust. Additionally, we support 11 salaries for teachers and support staff across various locations.

In Namibia, CITW actively celebrates International Literacy Day through the organisation of meaningful events, including Readathon Observation Day and Poetry Day, where learners participate in engaging reading competitions and creatively express themselves through reading, drama, and poetry performances. 

Beyond these events, CITW Namibia demonstrates its long-term commitment to literacy development through strategic partnerships with rural Namibian communities. The organisation supports schools like Okaepe Project School in the Otjozondjupa Region (serving marginalised San and Herero children from pre-primary to Grade 7) and Otjinungua Mobile School in Marienfluss Conservancy, providing essential educational resources, library materials, and funding support, which help develop literacy skills among children in remote areas where educational resources are often scarce.

Across all our programmes, literacy underpins our three core Impact pillars: Educate, Empower, and Protect. By ensuring children and adults have access to quality reading and writing instruction, we're nurturing fundamental skills needed for sustainable conservation and community development.

From children in Zimbabwe accessing thousands of new books, to students in Tanzania moving from outdoor lessons to modern classrooms, or learners in Botswana studying in a safe environment, each initiative creates ripple effects extending far beyond individual literacy gains.

As we celebrate International Literacy Day, we're reminded that every book distributed, every classroom built, and every person empowered with language skills represents an investment in Africa's conservation future. Through literacy, we're not just teaching people to read – we're opening doors to opportunity and building the foundation for a more sustainable, empowered tomorrow.

As Dr Seuss once said, ‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go’.