Children in the Wilderness

About us

Children in the Wilderness empowers the future leaders of Africa to become the protectors and custodians of their natural heritage, helping Wilderness secure the future of these fragile areas.

Trust Home CITW About us

Where it all started

In August 2001, Paul Newman and his family travelled to Africa on a two-week safari with Wilderness. During this trip, it was suggested that the respective visions of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps (Newman’s initiative) and Wilderness could be combined and blended to create a sustainable and effective African programme. In December of the same year, the first Children in the Wilderness programme was launched in Botswana.

The creation of Children in the Wilderness was an organic evolution of Wilderness’ Impact vision, which is and always has been to protect, explore and expand the world’s wilderness. As custodians of some of the world’s last true wild areas, Wilderness has a responsibility to act. For now, and for future generations.

By focusing on children, Children in the Wilderness empowers the future leaders of Africa to become the protectors and custodians of their natural heritage, helping Wilderness secure the future of these fragile areas.

Governance

Children in the Wilderness (CITW) is the dedicated youth empowerment arm of the Wilderness Trust, which is managed by an independent board of trustees.

The Wilderness Trust Board meets periodically, in person or by round robin, to discuss and agree on strategy, review financial summaries, approve funding plans, and consider applications received for funding of projects and initiatives. It also periodically receives reports from the implementers of such projects to monitor progress towards its goals.

Meet the board

Reporting and financials

As Children in the Wilderness is an arm of the Wilderness Trust, all reporting and financials fall under the Trust. For a reporting and financial overview of the activities of the Wilderness Trust and associated entities, learn more here:

Reporting and Financials

Be part of our impact

Ways to Contribute

Donors have the choice to contribute to general funds, a particular Impact category (Educate; Empower; Protect), or even a specific project. Since our US-based fundraising partner, Empowers Africa, charges only nominal administration costs, and the Wilderness Trust does not charge any fees at all, donors are assured their monies are being spent completely on their chosen component.

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