Thornybush is dedicated to making sure that we uplift, empower and invest in the local communities that surround the lodges, and where the majority of our staff come from.
At any given time we’re involved in a number of different projects, many of which you can actually see first-hand if you’re on safari with us, through our community project tours.
If you’re planning a safari with us or if you were a guest at some point and are interested in contributing to a worthy cause, then take a look at some of the projects we’re involved in.
The Thornybush Community Projects believes that empowering people is the key to broader development, and this philosophy has been perfectly illustrated in Keysman Nkuna.
Keysman started out as a labourer helping at the Hananani Vegetable Garden, but is now a small-business owner, growing vegetables to feed the 225 learners from the school that the garden sits on, selling the excess to locals. He has also recently invested in chickens so that he can add eggs to his offering. You can read more about this project here.
Keysman has just been gifted a 5-year lease on more land to expand the vegetable garden, and is looking for finance to set up infrastructure (water tanks, irrigation, tools, etc). If feeding schemes, community gardens or supporting entrepreneurial talent appeals to you, then get in touch by emailing candice@thornybush.co.za
Nourish is a local NGO that the Thornybush Game Reserve helps to support. They run a number of different projects from early learning development centres, feeding schemes, literacy projects through their community library and adult skills development.
Pack for a purpose is a website we use to make it easy for guests to contribute to various projects. We’ve already received over 175kg (and that was just in one month!!!) of health care products, toothpaste, brushes, soap, stationary and clothes. You can go to the website to see what is needed at various projects (including Nourish).
2019 Was a massive year for the school because of a very generous guest, Joel Andersen, who was staying at Thornybush Game Reserve, and came to see the school as part of a tour.
Joel ended up sponsoring the refurbishment (and all the building materials) of two shipping containers into new classrooms, as well as a facelift of the current classrooms with fresh paint and even an interactive, bright new play area for the children. You can read more about the project here.
Joel will be back again to scout out new project ideas that he can be involved in for 2020 and 2021!
Santa Shoebox is an annual, country-wide initiative which gets people to pledge a shoebox of essential (and fun) items to children from disadvantaged communities. In 2019 Thornybush matched every pledge made by staff-members (which was over 200).
Go to the Santa Shoebox website and pledge a box – it’s an incredibly well-run initiative which brings joy to children around the country for Christmas.
We’ve been involved with the Thousand Herb and Vegetable Garden for a number of years now, and we’re very proud to say that financially this project is now able to sustain itself fully! We still offer some mentorship, however all other business functions are managed by the business. You can read more about this project here.
The Thornybush Community Projects is a registered NGO and is managed by Candice Grover. If you’d like more information about any of the projects or our annual financial report on the projects then please get in touch (candice@thornybush.co.za).
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