Help children in rural South Africa see wildlife

Big 5 Schools Program

Because of your support, 500 children from 19 early childhood centers and 1 primary school had the chance to learn, explore, and connect with nature so far in 2025. 

A favourite part of the program is the teddy bears. Small lions hand-knitted by women from the community. Each child goes home with one, a reminder of what they’ve seen and learned. For the women who craft them, it’s a livelihood. Every teddy bear tells two stories: one of conservation, and one of empowerment.

Currently we are gearing up for our annual end-of-year competition, which we will share in our next report!

For many children in rural South Africa, wildlife exists only in stories told by elders. Seeing a lion, giraffe, or zebra up close feels like a dream. Thanks to the Big 5 Schools Program, supported by our generous donors, that dream has become a reality.

The children don’t just learn in classrooms. They also go in trips into a game reserve to see wildlife in its natural state. They also receive workbooks, crayons, and stationery to help them remember what they’ve been taught. At the end of each lesson, they carry home stories about the importance of wildlife, clean environments, and why protecting animals matters for everyone. Their new knowledge ripples into the community, teaching parents and siblings.

This program is building not only conservation leaders of the future but also stronger communities today. We appreciate every single one of our supporters that let us achieve these results.

KEVIN RICHARDSON FOUNDATION