Pack for a Purpose on Your Next Holiday to Botswana
Written by Jess Tyrrell
As a responsible traveller, thinking about ways to give back to the communities we visit is essential. One great way to do that when travelling to Botswana is through the Pack for a Purpose initiative. Pack for a Purpose is a global initiative that partners with camps, hotels and lodges in various countries to provide specifically requested supplies or items to communities in need — and your donations can go a long way in helping. The initiative makes it easy for you to create a lasting positive impact in the destinations you visit, which is an essential tenet of sustainable tourism.
This blog posts looks at some of the lodges, camps and hotels in Botswana that are participating in Pack for a Purpose, with some example lists needed for nearby communities. Let’s get (un)packing.
The lodges, camps, and hotels in Botswana participating in Pack for a Purpose
Each of the participating lodges, camps or hotels in Botswana will have a link to the community project(s) they support with a simple list of the items needed to support their needs. You can find the full list of participating lodges here. If you’re staying at — or passing by — any of these stays, or those listed below, check out their lists so you can make a life-changing donation.
If you’re staying near or in the Okavango Delta
If you’re staying near or in Maun
If you’re staying in or near Chobe National Park
If you’re staying in or near Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
If you’re staying in or near Selinda Game Reserve (Okavango Delta)
Some examples of the projects you can support
Children in the Wilderness (CITW)
Children in the Wilderness (CITW) teaches environmental awareness and practical life skills to the next generation of rural decision-makers. It is a grassroots project of Wilderness Safaris and one of the few initiatives to close the gap between people and animals.
The program features rural kids who reside close to Africa's parks and reserves, educating them about conservation and motivating them to protect their natural heritage to take care of these places as stewards. CITW promotes these kids' life skills to help them reach their full potential while enhancing and strengthening their capacity to deal with life's problems.
Needs list
General School Supplies:
Book Bags, College-Ruled Paper, Coloured Pencils, Dry-Erase Markers, Erasers, Glue Sticks, Handheld Pencil Sharpeners, Markers, Pencils, Pencil Cases/Bags, Pens, Rulers, and Solar Lantern Lights
Wall Charts:
(English) Laminated World Maps
Text/Reading Books:
(English) Children’s Story Books
Art Supplies:
Acrylic Brushes and Paints, Beads for Bead Work, and Craft Scissors
Sports/Outdoor Activity:
Inflation Pumps, Netball/Basketballs, Soccer Balls, and Whistles
Clothing/Shoes:
New Underwear (for Boys and Girls ages 12, 13 and 14 years old)
Health/Personal Grooming:
Deodorant, Face Cloths, Soap, Toothbrushes, and Toothpaste
Office Supplies:
Printer Paper and Scissors
Kavimba Village Preschool
In the Kavimba Village, Caroline — a retired teacher with a lot of heart — runs a tiny preschool in her backyard under a lovely shady tree. With the firm conviction that education is the most crucial gift to offer to the young children of this region, she is currently educating more than 30 children, ranging in age from 2 to 6. For some of them who are orphans, she also serves as a day mother.
Bush Ways — whose foundation now supports the preschool— were initially struck by Caroline's enthusiasm and concern for her students. They found it beautiful to observe young children's enjoyment of writing and reading exercises. Bush Ways is now working to construct a preschool for Caroline and her children and give her all the equipment a school needs to run successfully over the long term to alleviate the situation and offer a stable educational foundation.
Educational Games/Toys:
Bananagrams, Scrabble, and Stuffed Animals/Soft Toys
Music Instruments:
Maracas, Tambourines, and Triangles
Sports/Outdoor Activity:
Jump Ropes, Netball/Basketballs, Soccer Balls, and Tennis Balls
Clothing/Shoes:
New or Gently Used Children’s Clothing and Shoes
First Aid/Health:
Antibiotic Ointment and Band-Aids
Kitchen:
Bowls, Plastic Serving Bowls, Plastic Serving Cups, Plastic Serving Plates, and Serving Spoons
Needs list:
General School Supplies:
Book Bags, Coloured Pencils, Crayons, Erasers, Glue Sticks, Handheld Pencil Sharpeners, Markers, Pencils, Pencil Cases/Bags, and Rulers
Flash Cards:
(English) Alphabet, Math, and Word
Wall Charts:
(English) Human Body, Language, Math, and World Maps
Text/Reading Books:
(English) Age-Appropriate Story Books
Art Supplies:
Acrylic Brushes and Paints, and Watercolour Brushes and Paints
Computer Hardware/Software:
Tablets
Packing for a Purpose is easy to do
Once you have arrived at the hotel, you can drop off your donations at the front desk. The hotel staff will ensure that your items are delivered to the local communities. You will also have the opportunity to visit the local communities, meet the people, and see firsthand how your donations make a difference. It is an enriching experience to give back to the communities you visit, and Pack for a Purpose makes it easy to do so. Make sure to pack some extra items with you the next time you visit Botswana and make a difference in the lives of those in need.
You can book all of the lodges and camps mentioned above with Viatu, and incorporate them into your own itinerary using our trip builder here.