Kariega Foundation Volunteers : Impact Report 2024
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Together to protect, preserve and benefit our planet, people and wildlife.
Helen Keller said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. It is our unique abilities that make the 'together' extraordinary."
At the Kariega Foundation, this sentiment comes to life through the dedication of extraordinary volunteers from around the world. Their diverse skills and unwavering passion transform individual efforts into powerful collective action; benefiting wildlife, conservation, and local communities alike.
In 2024, we proudly welcomed over 150 volunteers, primarily from Germany and the United Kingdom, with an average age of 30 years old. However, this program is open to all, regardless of age or background. Anyone with a heart for making a difference is welcome. Our volunteers bring expertise ranging from conservation and veterinary care to art, sustainability, and engineering, forming a collective force for meaningful change.
Life as a Kariega Foundation Volunteer
Conservation Through Community
Volunteering at Kariega is a journey of both conservation and community work, with each week bringing new experiences. The time is split 60% conservation efforts (such as monitoring wildlife) and 40% community projects, where volunteers support local schools and initiatives.
From Monday to Friday, the days are structured with 7 to 9 hours of work, depending on the season. The schedule keeps things dynamic, alternating between conservation tasks and community engagement. Evenings offer time to unwind, whether chatting with fellow volunteers or reflecting on the day’s work.
Once a week, there’s a chance to step away from the routine to enjoy a dinner in Kenton-On-Sea or a traditional braai. Saturdays and Sundays are free, offering the perfect chance to explore the Sunshine Coast. Some volunteers take to the beach, while others venture into the wild landscapes that make this region so special.
Conservation in Action
One of the most exciting aspects of the volunteer experience is becoming part of vital wildlife conservation efforts. Volunteers have played a role in wildlife introductions, including cheetah and lion to the reserve. These efforts contribute to restoring natural balances and enhancing biodiversity.
Volunteers also assist in capture and translocation projects, helping to manage ecosystem health and genetic diversity according to the reserve’s conservation management plan. Past projects have involved the capture and relocation of buffalo and antelope, ensuring sustainable populations within the reserve.
With high-profile, endangered, and critically endangered species calling Kariega home, volunteers play a crucial role in monitoring these animals. They assist in veterinary procedures, providing hands-on support in the treatment of white rhino, black rhino, lion, and cheetah. In 2024 alone, volunteers participated in 27 wildlife procedures, witnessing firsthand the challenges and triumphs of conservation medicine.
Wildlife and biodiversity monitoring
We are proud of our expanding landscape, safeguarding natural habitat for our wildlife, ensuring biodiversity thrives.
Volunteers play a crucial role in research, monitoring, and conservation efforts—especially in tracking elephant movements and behaviour as the reserve expands. This monitoring is essential, as increased space allows elephants to access more resources such as water and food, supporting their natural migration and seasonal movements.
Over the last year we logged 274 wildlife reports, tracking lions, cheetahs and rhinos to monitor their movements and condition. Volunteers played a vital role in collecting this data, contributing to effective conservation management. Every sighting helps protect endangered species and supports long-term wildlife preservation.
Combating invasive species
One of the greatest threats to biodiversity is invasive alien plants, which lack natural predators and can spread aggressively. These plants outcompete native vegetation, alter ecosystems by changing soil chemistry, and even restrict animal movement.
In 2024, volunteers made a significant impact by removing 6,275 invasive plants, including: Cluster pine (Pinus pinaster), Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii), Red-eyed wattle (Acacia cyclops), Port Jackson willow (Acacia saligna), Prickly pear (Opuntia spp), and Sesbania (Sesbania punicea). These efforts restore balance to the ecosystem, ensuring native species can thrive.
Growing Together
Cultivating Food Security and Sustainability.
A highlight of 2024 was the success of our community vegetable gardens. Volunteers maintained 12 thriving gardens and established eight new ones. Each is a lifeline for food security and environmental sustainability.
To further empower these communities, the Kariega Foundation developed a practical gardening guide, outlining different garden types and best practices for long-term success. These gardens do more than provide fresh, nutritious food—they reduce food costs, promote sustainable living, foster education, and strengthen the community spirit.
Nurturing Futures
Supporting Early Childhood Development.
Education and nutrition go hand in hand, and our volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring children have the nourishment they need to grow. Assisting Early Childhood Development Centers (ECDs) and soup kitchens are another cornerstone of our programme, preparing and distributing meals to support both mental and physical development. But their impact goes beyond food. Volunteers engage them in creative activities like sports and art, enhancing hand-eye coordination, self-expression, and cognitive skills.
For older children, the program extends to primary school environmental education. By teaching conservation principles early on, we instill a lifelong passion for protecting the planet. Lessons also cover geography, music, pet care, and health awareness, giving children a well-rounded foundation for their future.
Volunteers, in turn, experience an exchange of cultures—learning about isiXhosa traditions, developing new skills, and forming lifelong bonds.
Caring for Domestic Animals
Creating a Culture of Compassion.
Animal welfare is often overlooked in rural communities, where access to veterinary care is limited. In response, our volunteers work alongside local animal welfare groups to provide essential care, education, and support to pet owners.
The volunteers have regular community visits focus on tick and flea treatments, garden fencing to give dogs freedom from chains, and teaching responsible pet care. During outreach days, veterinary professionals assist with deworming, rabies vaccinations, and food distribution, ensuring pets receive the care they deserve.
One of our most impactful initiatives is the Mass Sterilisation Campaign, a two-day event where 50 dogs and cats undergo sterilisation—helping to control overpopulation and improve overall animal welfare. These events require immense coordination and funding, but they create lasting change for animals and their communities.
At the heart of this work is a simple belief: compassion for animals begins at home. A child who learns to love and care for a pet will grow into an adult who values and protects all living beings. By nurturing these connections, we not only improve the lives of domestic animals but also plant the seeds of a conservation-minded future.
How can you make a difference?
Volunteering with the Kariega Foundation is more than just an adventure, it’s a life-changing journey. Our programme transforms the lives of local communities, supports the conservation of precious wildlife, and touches the hearts of volunteers. Many return time and time again after witnessing the profound impact of their contributions.
Are you ready to be part of something bigger?
Join the team and become a force for change. Apply today at: Kariega Foundation Volunteer Programme.
Together, we can create a world where people and nature thrive in harmony.
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