Windhoek
On Tuesday the Pupkewitz Foundation donated a Nissan NP300 Hardbody vehicle to the AfriCat Foundation, in support of conservation through education for schoolchildren and the larger communities around Okonjima Lodge.
During the handover ceremony hosted at the Pupkewitz Nissan showroom in Windhoek, Chief Strategic Officer of the Pupkewitz Foundation, Meryl Barry, accentuated that the Vehicle Assistance Programme of the foundation largely focuses on supporting the Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s efforts to preserve Namibia’s unique flora and fauna, through environmental education and wildlife conservation initiatives.
“The future of conservation depends on the child of today. The Pupkewitz Foundation, through a very targeted Vehicle Assistance Programme for environmental initiatives that include communities, believes that conservation for future generations should be preserved at all costs and that educational programmes such as provided by AfriCat will ultimately contribute to the prevention of extinction and wildlife crime in Namibia.”
The Pupkewitz Foundation’s involvement with AfriCat’s environmental education programme is intentional and ambitious, by which the Pupkewitz Group not only helps protect the environment, but builds future conservation leaders. Barry thanked the customers, and hardworking employees of the Pupkewitz Group, who have earned the profits the Pupkewitz Foundation is able to donate.
“I have observed the commitment with which AfriCat pursues the education and preservation of large carnivores by targeting the youth, with the intention to secure and sustain future awareness and conservation of these stunning wild cats,” she added.
The AfriCat Environmental Education Programme aims to inform and empower Namibia’s youth about large carnivores, conservation, and the country’s natural heritage. On behalf of AfriCat, its Head of Environmental Education Programmes Helen Newmarch said that after many years of working with the farming community, it became clear that youth education is vital to the long-term conservation of large carnivores.
“The remarkable contribution made by the Pupkewitz Foundation today, through the donation of a Nissan NP300 Hardbody pick-up, will go a long way. Not only will the vehicle be serving as the main source of transport for the children in AfriCat’s educational efforts, but it will enable AfriCat to do awareness outreaches in the surrounding areas. This way we will reach those learners who are unable to visit our education centres, thus encourage personal and school-based involvement in environmental issues,” Newmarch said.