Africa Sunrise Safaris' Community Work Projects

Mission Statement:

To provide essential supplies, improve living conditions, and enhance the futures of children and young people in the surrounding communities by providing an avenue for caring and concerned individuals who have enjoyed their experiences while visiting this beautiful land to give back to the South African community through donations.

Thanks to the support received we have been able to have a more structured program this year. We have recently opened up an account for the project to make it easier to stay organized. We have also added our mission statement and a brief summary in the welcome book and on the web site, this is so people can plan easily and see what they can bring during their visit to us or can plan to donate at the end of their stay with us.

With the generosity of the people that come to visit and wish to participate, we will be able to help fulfill certain vital needs of local children. Here are a few easy ways for you to give:


      1. Cash donations of $25 or more toward the community projects. Donation can be added to your final checkout.
      2. You might choose to bring items either for the school or for the children.

             Below is a list of some of the most needed items. Please check with us for updated needs.

                        * Girls and boys socks, underpants, under shirts, PJ’s to fit from infant to XL
                        * It’s best to buy them in larger quantities rather than smaller quantities, so we can distribute on a one-to-one basis through an age group.This way

                          they go further.
                       * Children’s vitamins, hygiene items, something easy to pack.

                       *Recreation equipment like soccer balls, or tennis shoes or school supplies like notebooks, crayons, and pencils.

Phenthogo Orphanage:

Kiley Matthews of Africa Sport Hunting Safaris truly embraces the community in which she runs her business and believes in giving back to the local charities. Recently Kiley moved her camp to a new location. Kiley found an orphanage close to the new location of her camp that was in need of everything from basics such as clothing, toiletries and meds to sporting goods, as well as larger necessities such as funds for building shelters.

Kiley through her organizations Community Projects helps to provide support for the Phenthogo Orphanage that is located in the village of Rietfontein. This orphanage currently has a staff of 12 who provide daytime care to 103 children who range from infants to 18 years old. In 2006 this Orphanage was organized by Caroline who recognized the need for this type of facility due to a growing number of children in the village that lost both parents to the AIDS epidemic or who otherwise had no daytime supervision. Caroline thoughtfully organized many women from the village to provide care, supervision and food for these children, as well as teaching them social skills and good behavior.

Kiley has raised money to buy the school a freezer that is now kept at a nearby church, so that she can donate meat to the orphanage throughout the hunting season. Along with donating meat for the children Kiley her Community Project help provide necessities such as medication, clothing, toiletries, recreation equipment, and food, and will work toward raising enough funds to build shelters, and for making improvements for the orphanage.

Providing support to orphanages like this one is an important way to improve the lives of children who have lost both parents due to the AIDS epidemic. This orphanage provides food, supervision, and social development for children who might otherwise be exposed to the harsh conditions of the streets with no adult guidance or supervision. Together we can make a difference in these children’s lives, through your donations we can provide sufficient food, clothing, medication, and education for these children, and once enough money has been raised we can build shelters to be able to provide care for these children in need.

Tlhware School

The Tlhware School has approximately 80 children from grade K thru grade 8. This school is the poorest of the schools in our area. The school is located only 5 miles from our main lodge and contributors can visit the school during their safari.

We have many ongoing projects with the school and you can stay in touch via our web site. This year we have collected enough money to provide 80 little children uniform sweatsuits, these are needed for the winter here. More important we are trying to implement a small scholarship program.

After completing the 8th grade, these children have no way of continuing their education. In order to continue their education past high school they have to go to boarding school that is about two hours away. Around $1400 allows a student to go to high school, and then also have the opportunity to go to technical school. We have a list from the head master with 4 children that are excelling in their studies and have the desire to go on to high school. We hope to have sponsors for some of them by next year. We are careful not to promise them things as we want to avoid any disappointment.

These children are in 6th and 7th grade now, so we have a little time. The only way anyone is going to make a difference with a strong African culture like this one is to start with the younger children. These scholarships are extremely important; otherwise these children will not be able to further their education. Completing higher levels of learning will allow these exceptional children the opportunity to obtain gainful employment for themselves and their families.