Gondwana Tours & Safaris is “Paying it forward” ….

Posted on 15th January 2024

As a company operating in Africa, Gondwana Tours & Safaris has for some time been looking to get more involved in, and to support an African charity, thereby “paying it forward” in a very measurable and sustainable way.

It seemed a daunting task to decide which of the many worthy causes on the African continent we should partner up with. In the end though, we decided on a movement that has been operating informally for many years, quietly and unassumingly. A movement whose success is fueled by the passion of its never-tiring volunteers.

We are proud to announce our collaboration with the Lehikeng Trust and its members Beauty Bogwasi (Founder and one of Steffi’s and Mark’s personal friends from their time spent in Maun), Nonofo Joel, and Linda Monkhouse.

The inception of Lehikeng was sparked by a profound commitment and care for people, particularly children, and the elderly. A vision nurtured by Beauty Bogwasi, an esteemed Educator with over two decades of experience in the Education Sector.

Many late nights and brainstorming sessions later Beauty’s vision took a more formalised shape resulting in the founding of the Lehikeng Trust.

The Lehikeng Trust in brief

The Lehikeng Trust aims to facilitate dialogue and support (in form of workshops, school visits, home visits, …) to:

• develop, empower, and positively influence the lives of the youth through the transformative power of education. Helping young people to make smart choices for their future, including the importance of reading, writing, proper schooling, sex education, consumption of alcohol and other drugs, skills facilitation, career choices, …
• care for the elderly, an often forgotten and vulnerable part of the population. The Lehikeng Trust works closely with the Polokong Elderly Care Centre (overseen by Beauty Bogwasi). A fitting synergy as some of Lehikeng’s beneficiaries happen to be grandchildren of seniors residing at Polokong.
• ultimately break the cycle of poverty and skills deficiency, enabling the youth to rise above life’s challenges and ensuring a brighter future for the collective.

The “Why Wait” Program

The “Why Wait” program is an extraordinary, 3-day event, designed to empower the youth, arming them with knowledge, skills, and resilience to make informed sexual decisions. 

Here are some images of the very successful “Why Wait” program which was facilitated by the Lehikeng Trust in December 2023. 

How you can get involved

Oftentimes our clients that have fallen in love with Africa and that have experienced some of its plight, ask us “What can we do to help?”. Now we have the perfect answer: “Please Pay it Forward!”.

The Botswana Government neither lends financial, nor any other form of support to this worthy cause, leaving the Lehikeng Trust entirely reliant on private funding.

Help us support the Lehikeng Trust. Safe donations can be made through the Lehikeng Trust portals on their website. No amount is ever too small. Tax certificates can be issued through the Lehikeng Trust on request.