1. DAKTARI NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER

2. MAKING SOUTH AFRICA A BETTER PLACE The first problem we have in our country is the high percentage of people living with AIDS. People must practice safe sex so not to spread the disease. Second it is the alcohol. Many people die in South Africa at a very high rate. If I can give anyone who is allowed to drink alcohol advice then it would be - if you drink or smoke, you make the death rate very high; also please drink safely and remember the future. The third is drugs and abusing animals. I say, no one is allowed to abuse animals, it is murder to kill animals, and you can be jailed. So please stop abusing animals, they have feelings like me and you, and they make us see what nature is all about. And drugs, what is with the drugs?? Can ’ t you live without drugs? Drugs kill life faster than anything, if you don ’ t want to live – do drugs. My Promises I promise to never break a promise. I promise to pick up rubbish. I promise to care about other animals. I promise not to discriminate. I promise to go to school and learn harder. I promise not to tease other learners. ” Every week, we ask the children to tell us what they think is wrong with South Africa, and how they propose to make it better. One of the children this month wrote a very strong essay on what he thought the problems were and how he promises to help make South Africa a better place. By Evans Modiba

3. THE CHILDREN VISIT MAKALALI Every week the children at Daktari get the chance to visit Makalali Game Reserve, where they are shown the different job opportunities available to them when they finish school. These jobs range from basic cleaning, where the children do not need to have any qualifications, to placements as Game Rangers or Mechanics, which solicit further study. They are all explained the importance of further diplomas, the ability to speak English, and the knowledge of good manners – all important factors which will enable them to obtain steady jobs later in life. Daktari prefers to focus on hospitality within the environmental sector, as it is one of the best sources for local jobs, as well as being the most accessible. It further encourages environmental protection and also highlights the importance of education. The children come back with a renewed motivation to study, as well as new career plans which you see taking form through the week at Daktari.

4. THIS MONTH ’ S NEWCOMER Napoleon the Tree Squirrel! Napoleon the tree squirrel fell from a great height, into the arms of a dozen female volunteers mid-September. He was a little furry gift from the thatched office roof! Guessing he was only a couple of weeks old, I took on the responsibility of becoming his mother. He needed to be fed every three hours using a syringe, and bundled into a wicker basket every night to sleep in the volunteers ’ room. He is now over a month old, and becoming more and more independent. He eats fruit and vegetables, and especially enjoys squashed banana puree! Napoleon loves to doze in the shade of the lapa, and sleeps in the volunteers ’ cleavage. He pops his head out from time to join the conversation with squeaks and rumbles. We can ’ t get too attached, as he will have to be set free when his time comes… Daktari volunteers know that natural law always prevails!

5. BYE BYE BAMBINO Bambino our beloved Nyala was finally returned to his previous owners this month. The whole of Daktari was extremely sad to see him go, as he brought joy and laughter to the camp. Nursed from merely a week old, he was fed and cuddled by volunteers, Michele and the staff. It was so rewarding to watch him grow up into a strong, independent, young Nyala. He would run around the camp with Mirabelle the dog, and followed Eeyore the Donkey like a shadow. He is now in the process of being released into a herd of wild Nyala, and has settled well into his new surroundings. We miss his bounding presence, but wish him the best of luck in his new life!

6. DAKTARI HAS A FACE LIFT Once upon a time at Daktari… Michele and Ian were away in France. The volunteers and Sonja and Greg were at a loss as to how to occupy themselves on such a warm Sunday… Lets not be idle girls –Daktari needs a fixer upper! Hmm And so, paint brushes, sandpaper and polish in hand, the team set to work… Many laughs later, guided by Sonja and Greg, we had surpassed ourselves. *Censored* Tee Hee We scrubbed, scratched and shined…we polished and painted – it was out with the old and in with the new!!! EISH!

7. Continued … Final touches were made, books dusted and pictures hung up.. Voila! To hard work & to Daktari!! Cheers! Cheers! After two weeks of hard yet enjoyable work, we all decided it was time to put our feet up and sip on homemade Mojitos, followed by a gourmet meal made by Sonja and Kirsten. All we could do now was wait for Ian and Michele ’ s return and hope that they liked it...They LOVED IT! Voila! Before and Afters We would like to thank the following people for their hard work and donations- Lizelle from Brush-Strokes for her donation of paint; Gregg and James for their financial support and hard work; Sonja for her constant drive, financial help, and incredible motivation; Tina and Spike for their donations and help, and the volunteers and staff for their help and great humour – we all made it possible 

8. VOLUNTEERS THIS MONTH Caroline from England Therese from Australia Our Dutch girls (clockwise from top left): Fleur, Leonie, Medelyn, Risette our Volunteer Coordinator who will be with us for a year, and Marjin. Audrey and Marine from France. Quang and Sandra from Switzerland We give a special thank you to Therese who has donated way over the cost of her stay to help Daktari. And we believe her fundraising is still going on. Thank you Therese for so much consideration and generosity.

9. CHILDREN THIS MONTH

10. Our New Website As some of you may have noticed, we have also given our website a makeover. We are hoping to evolve and improve it as the year comes to an end, creating easier access to Daktari info and to our Newsletters. We would like to thank Scott, our volunteer from Australia for all his help on reformatting and rearranging the website; as well as Herve Schmitt for his stunning design of the front page and further work on the website links. We would also like to say a huge thank you Media-Slave Communications run by Helmut, our webmaster for his help all the way from Scotland. He has also recently opened a biltong shop, and has established that every kilogram of biltong sold, 50p will go to Daktari! Please click on this link if you would like to visit his website. Http://www.biltongscotland.co.uk

11. ADOPT ME Caline and Freddy are still looking for adoption at R300 a month. We have a feeling that Caline might be pregnant , so any donations to our mum to be would benefit her baby! Shiloweni is still looking for more sponsors to help keep up his feisty appetite at R200 a month. Your adoption, will help us to give him the home comforts and lifestyle this beautiful animal deserves.

12. In South Africa Global Giving UK (tax deductible in the UK) Children - Project Over 100 South African youth educated about nature Global Giving US (tax deductible in the US) In South Africa (tax deductible in South Africa) Vehicle-Project Vehicle to transport underprivileged children WAYS TO DONATE In Germany (tax deductible in Germany) Bank: Sparkasse Münsterland-Ost Bankleitzahl: 40050150 Konto-Nummer: 1350 88 888. Name: Spendensammelverein Münster e.V. Reference: DAKTARI-Südafrika – Busch-Schule & Wildwaisen - Station Bank: First National Bank, Hoedspruit, South Africa Swift number: FIRN ZA JJ Branch Number: 270652 Account Number: Cheque Account (Non-Profit) 62044965129 Name: Daktari Wildlife Orphanage, South Africa DAKTARI ACCOUNT

13. Thank you to all of you. Friends, donors and sponsors. ~ And thank you to all the volunteers who help us to be as good as we are. This newsletter was written by Kirsten Shaw