Rangers on the Ground

The 2021 first quarter reports from Zambia are in! Nsefu Wildlife Conservation Foundation (NWCF) in conjunction with the South Luangwa Area Management Unit (SLAMU) have been working hard around the clock to keep the animals and people safe in the Nsefu sector! Initial numbers show that out of 5 camps, ours is second only to one in the number of patrols conducted, distances covered during patrols, and the days on patrol. While we may not be first this quarter in 2021, in all of 2020 Nsefu’s rangers consistently went on more patrols, patrolled for longer, and showed the kind of dedication and professionalism that makes NWCF such a powerhouse in the region, and we couldn’t be prouder of them. All of this while other groups dissolved their ranger programs due to lack of funding, we managed to squeak by on a shoestring budget and keep all of our Zambia staff fully funded and working. All of this made possible by you, our valued partners.

“Well, that’s great and all” you might say, “but what have you actually *done* this whole time?” Well, I’m glad you asked that, because despite the increase in poaching activity from 2019-2020 (almost a 500% increase during the height of the pandemic) Nsefu and SLAMU have managed to keep the number of successful poaching attempts low even reducing them in some areas. Our rangers and team members on the ground have reported an increase in gunshots heard at night, however due to swift action in reporting we are typically able to drive the perpetrators off before they can cause any lasting harm.

For operational security (OPSEC) reasons we cannot go into specific details of these events, however during this first quarter we have confiscated one illegal firearm, and there has only been a single confirmed elephant killed by poachers with two water buffalo killed in separate incidents. Despite the tragic death of the elephant, we were able to arrive on site quickly enough to where we were able to recover the ivory so it can be destroyed. So overall the poachers still went home empty handed, however one death is one death too many in our book! As for the water buffalo, it is unclear whether these were killed for bushmeat or for other purposes. Regardless of why, it unacceptable that these things should happen at all, and it is our dream of a Nsefu sector where we don’t ever have to hear of tragedies like this again!

To this end, we continue to work and strive to create a safer world for wildlife despite the struggles of a post pandemic world. However, we cannot do anything without the support of you our treasured allies in the war on poaching. Your contributions are the lifeblood to these efforts and are solely responsible for all of the lives saved both human and non-human alike within the Nsefu sector, and we cannot thank you enough for what you do for them. Your generosity and kindness are the literal difference between life and death for many people and animals and we are both proud and honored by your dedication and faith in our organization to get things done. We will not let you down, and we will continue this fight until this fight is won. That is our solemn oath to you, our heroes of the Nsefu sector. Thank you.

-NSEFU WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Zambia or Bust!

Well after a delay of nearly 6 months due to COVID and shipping nightmares, our container is finally on its way to Zambia! The container was packed “to the rafters” with donations from the likes of Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 5 Star Communications, Tellico Village Computer Users Club, and many, many other supporters. The container is filled with furniture, clothing, computers, tools, sporting equipment, ranger gear, toys, and other items to help our ranger team, women’s sewing program, beekeeping program, and our school (with a secondary school currently under construction).

We are incredibly grateful for the supporters who helped us buy the container, load the container, and donated items and supplies for the container benefitting Team Nsefu Zambia. The container is to arrive in July and we can’t wait!!!

Thank you!

As you sew...sew shall you reap! Our Women's Sewing Program is a success!

The Nsefu Wildlife Women’s Sewing Program is a HIT!

We have GREAT news to share with you with regards to our women’s sewing center. Our Operations Manager Steve Zulu reports that the sewing program is a smashing success in the sector! He shared that the locals weren’t quite sure about the program at first and many doubted that it would become viable…but Team Nsefu wasn’t about to let failure happen. The team of women we trained is now creating fashions for the community and the school uniforms for our Chabwera school!

We have some more great news to share with you in that our Board Advisor Dr. Thomas Snitch made a wonderful donation to purchase more treadle machines for the sewing program in honor of U.S. Congressman Raskin’s late son “Tommy”. Tom shared with us that Tommy had a deep passion for Africa and we are grateful he came up with something so powerful and lasting for the community and for the Raskin family. The donation of sewing machines will grow the number of women in the workforce.

Everyone is exceedingly proud that not only do the women get to earn an income to support themselves and their families, but they provide a necessary service to the community and everyone wins. It’s another program that Nsefu Supporters are helping make a huge success!!! Very special thanks to Tom Snitch for the sewing machines donation and to Jan Dickieson for her continued support of the program! Everyone at Team Nsefu sends their heartfelt condolences to the Raskin family and we promise to cherish Tommy’s memory and we will continue his legacy of goodwill.

New School Uniforms for Chabwera Students!

Our Nsefu Wildlife Women’s Sewing Center has been busy making uniforms for all the students at our Chabwera School! This has been a total blessing for the families and kids in that parents don’t have to travel hours away for school uniforms. Furthermore, children having uniforms gives them a sense of “belonging”. Students are more prone to dropping out of school when not having a uniform because they create an “even economic and emotional playing field” in school and create a sense of unity and pride.

Thank you to Pandora Vreeland for coming up with the final funding for fabric to complete the program! We are grateful!

Nsefu Wildlife Shipping Container off to Zambia!

Our Nsefu Wildlife container is OFF TO ZAMBIA!!! Thank you to everyone who helped buy the container, load the container, and all the donations that are packed to the rafters inside. Praying for a safe journey because that container is packed with love and the contents have the power to change lives... both human and animal! We are grateful for your support!