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For A Worthy Cause
By Lee Stewart
I
am writing this article in my capacity as Operations and Development
Manager of the Munda Wanga Trust, probably for the very last time.
4 June is the 50th Anniversary of Munda Wanga opening its
doors to visitors. The Trust is therefore busy planning for the big
celebration/re-launch party, which will, hopefully, be well attended
by local and International celebrities (watch out for your own very
special invites!). It is at this time that I feel my job, as
Operations and Development Manager, will have been completed and
that it is the right time for me to move on and let someone else
enjoy the prestige of running such an awesome facility. It is my
honest opinion that there is no other facility in Africa, outside
South Africa, that rivals the progress that has been achieved over
recent years. The bad news for everyone is that I may not be going
too far….Malawi, so you won’t be rid of me completely!!
As you may well have heard, as a leaving present…..I have (stupidly)
decided to participate in the Flora London Marathon in April
to raise money for the Trust, having been invited by the David
Shepherd Wildlife Foundation to sign up. I have set myself a target
of trying to raise US$ 40,000 as sponsorship money, both locally,
through companies and friends, and internationally through family,
friends and their personal contacts in businesses within the UK.
British Airways have already agreed to provide a free flight to the
UK so as to reduce the overheads of attending the run, whilst
National Milling, TyreKing and Phoenix Photographics have already
agreed to sponsor me on the run, with a US$ 1000 donation each.
If you, as a company or an individual, would like to help, how will
the money raised be spent? I have decided, along with the David
Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, that 50% will be used to support
Project Phoenix, a new project that will be established in Kafue
National Park by June to release orphaned elephants, like Phoenix,
from Munda Wanga back to the wild, 25% will be used to support our
Rapid Action Response Unit Programme that will rescue any orphaned
elephants or other animals that are in need of assistance from our
National Parks. The remaining 25% will be used to support the
employment of an International Representative that will ensure that
Munda Wanga continues to prosper over the two years, following my
departure in July.
The support of companies to the Trust, over the past six years, can
only be described as amazing and has helped in the rebuilding of a
facility that has not only grown locally, but internationally as
well. Something everyone, who has supported the project thus far,
should be very proud of.
So how can you and your company benefit from supporting Munda Wanga
and my running of the Flora London Marathon?
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The knowledge that your support is going to a very worthy cause and
helping to safeguard the future of Munda Wanga and the survival of
baby elephants in Zambia. Without such support, Zambia would see
many baby elephants suffer needlessly, left abandoned in the wild
with no hope of survival, with their mothers having been butchered
by illegal poachers, for the ivory and meat trade that exist in this
country.
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The knowledge that your support is helping us educate tomorrow’s
conservationists and decision makers in Zambia, helping to ensure
that we have leaders, who care for the future of Zambia’s wildlife.
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A free advert on the main wall of Munda Wanga.
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Recognition in our 32-page 50th Anniversary magazine that
is currently being prepared for this year’s big event.
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Recognition next June on the big day of your company’s support,
which will be well attended by local and international celebrities.
There should also be a large amount of media coverage on the day
and, of course, banners from sponsors will be displayed at their
request.
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Two free tickets to the big event on 3 June (more can be provided on
request, at minimal cost).
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A certificate that can be displayed in your company’s office,
recognising your support for Munda Wanga.
In an ideal world, I am looking for 40 companies, in Zambia, to
support me with a US$ 1000 donation to help me reach the wild and
wacky target of US$ 40 000. However, if companies are unable to
support me with the above and would like to sponsor a smaller
amount, I would be able to negotiate on the above benefits. A feeble
attempt, on my side, to encourage you to sponsor the ideal amount
I’m afraid!! How can you help as an individual ? It is real
simple, log onto the following website
www.justgiving.com/ele_stewart (individuals only)
and make your donation that way.
This is also a good chance for me, personally, to thank everyone
who has helped Munda Wanga over the past seven years, whether the
support has been financial or otherwise, your support has always
been most appreciated and welcomed…THANK YOU. It will be a sad day
for me when I finally drive through the gates of Munda Wanga
on the very last day…but as they say….”I’ll be back” you can
be sure of that.
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April
2006