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NEWSLETTER Issue 1 (July 2008) |
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“If we do not do something to prevent it, Africa’s animals and the places in which they live will be lost to our world and her children for ever” Nelson Mandela |
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The Road Gang at Migudu |
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Construction of Reception Centre at Migudu |
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Volunteers Accommodation at Chipembere |
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Paul Dalgarno; Lester Maide; Miles Zidana; Kenneth Smith |
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Following a lot of hard work, research, nights around the camp fire at Mwabvi and just a little fun we are proud to announce the launch of our new website. Our aim is to maintain an informative website for conservationists, researchers, volunteers and anyone with a passion for Africa. By following the website link you will find full details of our work at Mwabvi, our vision for the future and most importantly how you can make a difference. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on a special word of thanks to Nathan Dixey (aka Josey) and Zarin Kharodia without whom the website would not have been possible. Kenneth Smith Director Project African Wilderness barefoot@projectafricanwilderness.com
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The Newsletter: Look out for the next news letter in September which will include an update on the current projects and funds raised, an article on ‘The Fence’ and the thrilling story of how a young buffalo owes its life to PAW. If you would like to submit an article for the next news letter perhaps following a trip to Malawi or Mwabvi or having raised funds by skydiving dressed as a rhino! Then please click here and write and tell us. Amanda Dixey Editor amanda@projectafricanwilderness.com
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The PAW Trust (UK): Raising Funds Our work in Malawi is supported by the PAW Trust, a charity in the UK that can fundraise internationally. Money raised by the Trust has been used to support the PAW staff at Lilongwe and Mwabvi, in building up the projects base, creating a campsite in the Reserve and a game road network. The priority for 2008/2009 is to raise funds to cover the ongoing daily costs at Mwabvi these include anti-poaching patrols, bags of cement, hoes, vehicle maintenance and wages for local skilled and unskilled staff. We need at least £100,000 of this to come from Abwenzi (Friends) of Mwabvi and we have a number of different ways you can help us achieve this: · Become one of our Abwenzi a Mwabvi, for £20 per year or send your friends and family one of our gift certificates when you sponsor an animal, a water point, or even the fence! · Join us on the Mwabvi Ordeal 2009; an ambitious sponsored bike ride in Malawi in March 2009! · Hold a fundraising event: Organise your own walk for water or join us on one in central England or you could consider skydiving or running a marathon, the choice is yours! We can send you our Ambassador’s pack of information and details on how to organise yourself and sponsorship. · And through summer 2008 if you visit our home city of Manchester, look out for one of our life sized recycled rhinos in the rhino parade which are being made by artists and schools to raise both money and awareness of the environment. The Trust is staffed by volunteers and although our office and admin. work is paid for by our corporate sponsors arc4, we are always looking for more volunteers and helpers! And you don’t have to be based in the UK to help. So for information on our work, any of the above events or how to donate, visit our website Gaynor Asquith Director The PAW Trust |
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Paul Dalgarno: Mwabvi Great strides have already been made in the construction of new Game viewing roads and fire breaks within the reserve, with a circuit now in place at Matope camp, providing better access to the sights of Mwabvi. A further game viewing road to the East Mulaka hills is currently being planned, this is the home range of the beautiful Sable antelope where herds of 50 plus can be seen. Clearly signed walking trails, to the Mwabvi tree, Rock of Doves and the Mwabvi Gorge have recently been created, ensuring this area is made accessible to everyone. Migudu camping site is now fully operational with flushing toilets and cool showers for the visitors and the reception area is close to completion. A recent project, which involved working with all the local villages to agree the official demarcation of the Mwabvi Reserve boundary has now been completed. This marks a significant step forward and means that we will soon need to turn our attention to raising funds to fence the reserve. Another recent project involved providing financial help to local Bee Keepers in the area, ensuring that the communities benefit from sustainable income provided they collected honey in an eco-friendly way. This has already reduced the destruction of the reserves Flora, where traditional methods in the past have seen 400yr old Mopane tree’s cut down to reach a bee's nest 10mtrs high. Various waterholes are being planned within the reserve including one near the Migudu viewing platform, which we hope to complete soon, so that the animals and birdlife have an alternative source of water without fear of poachers traps, which are often located within the park. The good news is that a Poacher has just been successfully convicted and this will re-enforce our message that Mwabvi is now being protected for future generations. Paul Dalgarno Project Manager Mwabvi |
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Camping at Migudu |
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Zarin Kharodia: Lilongwe Office My main task is the co-ordination of the work that is being carried out at Mwabvi WR by Project Manager Paul Dalgarno, and overseeing the work carried out in the PAW office in Lilongwe, including liaising with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to help get things on the move and make a difference. Now the website has been launched, my focus will be to raise funds via the Marketing of Mwabvi WR, as a travel destination and in particular Chipembere base where our Volunteer Programs are run from. We are urgently in need of more volunteers and funding to achieve our goals and would like to hear from anyone interested in giving us a helping hand to ‘save a small but precious part of Africa’. Please contact me if you require any further information. You can travel solo to Mwabvi but you will never be alone in the wilderness, we are here to assist you… Zarin Kharodia PAW Administrator Project African Wilderness |
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PAW Malawi: Protecting Mwabvi WR PAW was established as a not for Profit Company in 2006 to save Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve, a pristine piece of Malawi, which stood on the brink of loosing its protective status. Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve, isolated, untamed and seldom visited, is a true wilderness, providing the few intrepid travellers who make it, with a thrilling taste of Africa as it must have been a century ago. Our mission is to play a central role in the conservation of the reserve protecting the full spectrum of species, habitats and landscapes whilst preserving the traditional livelihoods of the reserves surrounding neighbours. Project African Wilderness was created to provide Mwabvi with a future without which this precious corner of Africa would soon disappear. To ensure the reserve, its wildlife and surrounding villages are protected for generations to come we need to raise funds for the project and that’s where you can help. Kenneth Smith Director Project African Wilderness
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