MOTHER AFRICA TRUST
Conservation is at the root of our core values and we strive to preserve the wild spaces that make Zimbabwe such a special place.
We believe it is our responsibility to ensure that future generations can experience Africa’s great wilderness, with conservation initiatives that aim to protect and nurture the delicate ecosystems that surround us. By implementing sustainable and environmentally friendly practices across our camps and lodges, we create a minimal impact and allow wildlife to thrive.
our mission
Through our conservation initiatives, we aim to protect and nurture the delicate ecosystems around us.
We actively support local communities, empowering them to be stewards of their environment. By promoting responsible tourism and engaging in conservation efforts, we strive to create a positive impact on the regions we operate in.
We encourage our guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Zimbabwe while respecting and appreciating its fragility. Together, we can contribute to the preservation of these extraordinary landscapes for future generations. For those in search of epic wildlife adventures, immersive cultural experiences or a digital detox surrounded by nature, Amalinda Safari Collection extends a very warm welcome from our family to yours.
When you embark on a safari with us, you become part of this greater mission.
Trust
Projects
Community
Project
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For societies to thrive, the health and education sector need to be performing effectively. The situation in Zimbabwe is that these two sectors receive inadequate funding to operate at maximum capacity.
In Matopos, Mother Africa Trust has built a new school, that is currently educating 65 nearby students who used to walk over 10km to school.
Mabale Health Centre - We have installed a solar powered pump to provide a constant supply of water.
Lupote Rural Health Centre - we have constructed a shelter to ensure mothers or expectant mothers get pre-natal and post-natal medical assistance.
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There are a staggering number of orphans and vulnerable children in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe. The sad reality is that if no one is there to provide for their educational needs, the end result is truly heartbreaking. Education enables the children to look forward to a bright future and it promotes individual and societal productivity.
In recent years Mother Africa Trust has made significant positive steps towards offering children an equal opportunity to learn. Our Academic Scholarship programme offers full funding to deserving students from identified rural communities. The programme aims to support children who have not had the same educational benefits or opportunities in life as others.
To date, the Mother Africa Trust has awarded 15 fully funded scholarships… Our mission is to change Zimbabwe one person at a time.
Education brings hope; education inspires, enables and impacts entire communities.
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As a step towards empowering our communities, The Mother Africa Trust recently introduced a sustainable project for child headed families and the needy in our communities. The Goat Gift Project entails a gift of goats to a family. Once the goats reproduce the initial goats are donated to another family. Goats are ideal for drought prone areas. They reproduce quickly and can free a family from the dependence cycle. Once they multiply, a struggling family can sell some of their goats to pay school fees or use the money to buy basic commodities.
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Through our Walk In My Shoes initiative we have collected and distributed more than 200 pairs of shoes to less fortunate children and needy members in rural communities of Zimbabwe.
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Started by Birthe and Bent Kristensen in 1997, the children’s home has faced many challenges during Zimbabwe’s economic and political turmoil but it continues to thrive. Today Ethandweni Children’s Home is in capable hands of Lucien Oosthuizen.
The home currently houses 42 orphaned and disadvantaged children of all ages, who come from Matobo District. The Mother Africa Trust has worked with the home for a number of years, helping to source funding, food and medication for the special souls being raised at this home. The Trust has introduced many volunteers who have impacted positively in the development of the home.
WOMEN FOCUSED
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Mother Africa Trust aims to create income-generating opportunities in rural areas. In collaboration with the Mabale Community, we are working on beekeeping initiatives to provide women with an alternative to relying solely on remittances. This project not only generates income but also equips women with skills to process honey into valuable products such as wax, soap, and body lotion. The honey is harvested sustainably to protect the endangered bee population. Additionally, Mother Africa Trust acts as both a partner and a market for the project, promoting a farm-to-table approach. The honey produced will be utilized at Amalinda Safari Collection. The funds generated from this initiative are crucial in the ongoing fight against poverty within the Mabale community.
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Women in Zimbabwe often face significant inequality. Mother Africa Trust is committed to promoting equal opportunities, which is why we wholeheartedly support the basket weaving project with the women of Siyanyanga. Their beautifully crafted baskets are not only stunning but also worth every penny. We urge everyone to show their support for these hardworking women by purchasing their decorative baskets. The women of Siyanyanga have encountered numerous obstacles, including traveling long distances to obtain the material for their baskets and lacking the necessary dyes. In response, Mother Africa Trust has taken action by establishing an ilala plant garden to provide easier access to materials and ensure sustainable harvesting.
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The mushroom project provides a solution to the rising cost of meat by offering mushrooms as a substitute. This initiative also serves as a reward for female goat herders who demonstrate excellent holistic goat herding practices. These women are able to cultivate mushrooms while tending to their goats, aiming to generate both sustenance and income for their households. Furthermore, the project contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals by addressing hunger and malnutrition.
Initiatives
CONSERVATION
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Like us, animals experience love, joy, fear, and pain, but they lack the ability to speak or defend themselves. It is our responsibility to advocate for them and take action to protect their well-being and lives.
Through the support of generous donors and volunteers, Mother Africa Trust has successfully established impactful, long-term conservation initiatives. These efforts encompass research projects, educating youth about the value of natural resources, backing anti-poaching measures, and addressing wildlife-human conflicts. The urgent need to restore harmony between wildlife and humanity has become increasingly critical due to the escalating threat it poses to conservation in Africa.
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A team of 8 men and 6 women conduct anti-poaching patrols along the Amalinda concession bordering Hwange National Park. Since 2012, they have removed over 7000 snares. Covering an average distance of 180km on foot and 10km by vehicle each month, their efforts extend beyond protecting the concession, as there is no fence separating it from the park. Their presence significantly contributes to safeguarding the wildlife in the area, ensuring their safety and survival.
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Successful conservation efforts begin with knowledge and understanding. Through the generosity of Amalinda Safari Collection guests, Mother Africa Trust sponsors educational trips for students from disadvantaged rural schools. These trips include guided visits to the National Park, rhino tracking, bird-watching, tree identification, and other activities that help children learn about and appreciate the importance of our natural resources. Local rangers, conservation agents, and professional guides share their knowledge of the local flora and fauna, educating rural children on environmental conservation practices.
For many children, these trips provide their first exposure to Zimbabwe's wildlife. By connecting local communities with nature, we foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Ultimately, this leads to a greater understanding of the benefits of conserving and cherishing our wildlife and environment.
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Working with communities on the fringes of wildlife areas, we recognize the threat posed by human-wildlife interactions. In response, Mother Africa Trust is addressing wildlife-human conflict in the Hwange area by constructing lion-proof cattle bomas. To date, we have built over thirty permanent bomas, providing protection for up to 120 cattle. These specially designed bomas effectively safeguard the cattle from nighttime lion attacks. Each small lion-proof boma, accommodating up to 20 cattle, costs $600, and we plan to construct more in the areas most affected by the conflict along the border of Hwange National Park.
As the dawn breaks, Zimbabwe's wild beauty will endure, and the village cattle herds will thrive in harmony with wildlife. The expansion of lion-proof bomas will help us achieve this vision.
Initiatives
