In 2024, the Camelthorn Foundation, thanks to you all, contributed specifically towards:

 

Supporting mobile dental and eye care clinics in rural Zimbabwean villages​

In 2024, the Camelthorn Foundation paid for prescription glasses and readers to reach villages in wildlife areas in Zimbabwe.

 

Over 1750 pairs of prescription, reading and sunglasses were gathered by Specs for Africa. The Camelthorn Foundation supported the transport of the glasses to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Here they were distributed by the Water4Wildlife Trust / Imvelo Safari Lodges to people in need during the Smile and See Programme.

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In 2024, the Smile and See Programme treated over 3,287 eyecare patients across 6 different mobile clinic days at Nkayi, Sipepa (2 days), Mlevu, Dhlamini and Ngamo.

Other impact numbers from the Smile and See programme include:

• 2,120 dental care patients

• Over 3,500 dental procedures carried out

• 1,730  children given fluoride

• Over 300 cataract cases identified

• Over 2,010 glasses were distributed

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Support the translocation of two more rhinos and the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative

The Camelthorn Foundation raised funds for the Initiative through its normal channels as well as through two campaigns: (1) to  help name the two new  rhino at the Initiative’s second sanctuary and (2) to allow people to  “adopt a rhino” as a gift 

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These funds significantly contributed towards the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative’s development throughout 2024. The Initiative made important strides in 2024:

• Scout training and recruitment has been ongoing for 39 scouts.

• The Community Rhino Conservation Initiative was commissioned by Honourable Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu, by then Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife (February 2024).

• Two more white rhinos were translocated to Mlevu sanctuary 2 successfully.

• The canine unit is developing new skills, including tracking and agility.

• A third sanctuary (an extension of sanctuary 2) has been identified and agreed upon by community members.

• Scrub clearing continues with manual labour as well as the use of a heavy duty tractor loader backhoe to ensure promotion of grass growth and appropriate habitat maintenance at both sanctuaries 1 and 2.

• School children have continued to visit the rhino and learn about the project.

• Continued monitoring and recording behaviour of the four rhinos to consolidate a useful database.

• Revenue generation for local communities and development projects of their choice has increased with tourists coming to spend time with the rhino, with over US $60,000 generated, with some of it going to maintaining the local Ngamo Clinic open.

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Read more about the  Community Rhino Conservation Initiative 

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Supporting pumping water for wildlife efforts in southern Hwange throughout the dry season

The Camelthorn Foundation supported the Water4Wildlife Foundation throughout the long dry season of 2024 to keep solar hybrid water pumps operational. These provided millions of litres of water to Hwange wildlife, including thousands of elephants. 

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Read more about the importance of pumping water for wildlife in this part of Zimbabwe  here 

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2024 would not have been so successful without you...

Thank you!