We are dedicated to protecting this idyllic corner of the world – and to the involvement of the local community in that conservation effort. In return we do what we can to assist this thriving, and surprisingly large, community in ways that they deem useful. We have several current projects:
Khani Kwedho:
There is a community project on the island called Khani Kwedho (meaning ‘Our Home’). Benguerra collects money for a local trust that distributes it as needed. This is a project that’s very close to our hearts – and we try to assist the trust wherever possible and even ask our Guests to bring with them pens, pencils, exercise books and old clothes. So far the trust has built a community hall and a small school and it is planning a clinic.
The Khani Kwedho Children:
We are sponsoring 6 orphaned children through primary school on the island – and hope to be able to assist them with high school and possibly even university, when the time comes.
This is our Assistant Manager, Brian Mandiwa, with the six children, in their brand new uniforms (donated through efforts made by Benguerra). The children are, from top left: Amelia Joao Mufumi; Sidalia Jose Guio; Joana Joao Guio; Carlos Pedro Guio; Azarias Carlos Tanguni; Reginaldo Inacio Zivane.
Interesting fact: none of the children are related, although they have very similar names. There are a few surnames on the island that are very popular!
The Garden Project:
We are providing land, water, materials and expertise to the community so that they can start growing vegetables – for personal consumption, and to sell to us at the Lodge. Our first garden has been so successful that we’ve started another one…
The School:
We are building a new schoolhouse for the 284 children on the island. At the beginning of the year we bought 50 new desks and uniforms.
Food for Work:
Benguerra is a small island, with limited job opportunities – we’ve established a small project whereby we give people basic supplies (cooking oil, rice and sugar) in return for them re-shelling (using old mapalo shells) the road from the Lodge to our Airstrip. We hope everyone benefits.
|
JD Internet Consulting