Ethos - Ker & Downey Botswana

Philanthropy

At Ker & Downey Botswana, we are committed to providing guests the highest quality wildlife and adventure safari experience, whilst preserving the delicate environment and natural beauty of Botswana. We constantly strive to maintain standards of excellence within the industry whilst fostering economic and social development of the local communities and Botswana as a whole.

Bana Ba Letsatsi

Ker & Downey Botswana believes that its responsibility to Botswana extends beyond environmental and conservation issues. As a result, since 2009, the company has been playing an active role in supporting a Maun-based NGO, Bana Ba Letsatsi.

Bana Ba Letsatsi (Children of the Sun) was established in 2004 to support Northern Botswana’s orphaned, at-risk and vulnerable children. The charity’s Maun centre supports more than 250 underprivileged children by providing them with food, clothing, education, counselling, sports, arts and music activities. The children at Bana Ba Letsatsi are aged from 1-18 years, and without the centre would be lacking adequate food and care, while many would be living on the streets.

For more information please see their website www.banabaletsatsi.org

Since 2009 Ker & Downey Botswana has provided monthly donations, based on a percentage of safari sales, which enables Bana Ba Letsatsi to buy essential everyday items such as food, clothing and classroom materials for the children. These regular donations also allow Bana Ba Letsatsi to budget for unexpected expenses, and the charity sets aside a proportion of the donations each month to cover any unforeseen medical emergencies which may occur.

Given the current situation, no guests means funding is greatly diminished for the centre and any donations are highly welcomed.

Ker & Downey Botswana’s support is not limited to financial assistance. The company understands the importance of personal development and therefore the children regularly assemble for a wildlife club run by Ker & Downey Botswana’s specialist guides. Every time the guides leave the bush, whether for business reasons or personal vacation time, they host the BBL Wildlife Club. Ironically the underprivileged children of Maun – safari capital of Botswana – experience almost no positive contact with nature. The wildlife club is therefore essential in helping the children to develop an interest and respect with regards to the wildlife upon which the region’s economy depends.

Annually, groups of children from the Wildlife Club are hosted in the Ker & Downey Botswana camps. It’s a time to put their bush knowledge into practise and enjoy all that the wildlife and wilderness has to offer.

Bana Ba Letsatsi has been introduced to the Pack For A Purpose organisation which enables Ker & Downey Botswana’s international clients to utilise their luggage allowances to bring in clothes, toys and educational materials for the children.

Although the centre is not open to visitors we can facilitate this should a guest be able to offer a specific service, eg dental hygiene educator, dietitian etc.

We would be very keen to collaborate with any company or individuals interested in organising fund raising for Bana Ba Letsatsi – please contact fran@kerdowney.bw for assistance.

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Mathiba I Memorial Primary School

In line with our strategy to deepen our linkages with select beneficiaries we have formalised our coadoption of Mathiba I Memorial Primary School with the Ministry of Basic Education.

The school, situated at the eastern end of the Maun runway, has educated many of our staff and continues to educate their children. Our initial donation of a high capacity printer, school text books and blackboards was well covered by national media.

Subsequently we have, as part of Chobe Holdings, provide porter cabin classrooms.

The pass rate of the school has increased 50% and planning is well underway to provide an assembly area.

What We Do Best

Safaris