Vusi Sibuyi, an employee of Olifants River Game Reserve (ORGR) in Balule, who started a six week Field Ranger’s training course at the SA Wildlife College on 17th May, passed with flying colours and stood out above the rest with top marks. Needless to say, he is one extremely happy young man!
Vusi was first noticed whilst employed at the main gate at ORGR as a guard. His “can-do” and “on the ball” attitude impressed the ORGR management team and was invited to join ORGR as a junior ranger. In this position, Vusi further impressed both the Warden and head of the Anti-poaching Unit, mainly due to his enthusiasm and work ethic. Vusi was keen to further his qualifications so approached the Warden for a loan to study at the college, at which time the board suggested approaching the Balule Outreach Trust (BOT). Vusi’s course was funded entirely by the BOT, without hesitation – and the rest, as they say, is history!
Says Vusi, “I feel this career was a calling. I am passionate about nature and determined to preserve the wonderful flora and fauna we are gifted, currently and for the generations to come. I hope to inspire my two brothers into following in my footsteps and thank everyone involved for giving me this hand-up to making a difference in the area of conservation”.
The Balule Outreach Trust was established in February 2012 to raise funds and engage in community development programs in the Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa communities of Limpopo Province in South Africa. The Trust is registered as a non-profit organisation with the Dept. of Social Development and with the South African Revenue Service as a Public Benefit Organisation.
Says John Anderson, Founder and Chairman of BOT, “From small beginnings in 2013 we have established a firm relationship over several years with our two major beneficiaries – Southern Cross School in Hoedspruit and South African Medical Expeditions (SAME) through their After School Child Care Centre in Sigagule Village. Covid-19 has, without warning, brought with it different challenges for which solutions have been urgently sought and we are currently concentrating on providing funds for much-needed food, masks and sanitization within the communities. In addition to SAME, we are supporting Nourish, an NPO operating in Sigagule with funds for making masks, and the Apostolic Faith Mission and the Maseke Community with funds for food parcels, both
now and into the future”.
Those who would like to donate to this organisation (and receive a tax certificate), can do so by depositing into the Balule Outreach Trust account, referencing EFT payments with their name.
First National Bank (FNB), Bryanston, South Africa
Account number: 6233 678 7877 Clearing Code: 250-017
Swift number: FIRNZAJJXXX
