Christmas Party at Holmeleigh Farmyard

I attended a Christmas Party at Holmeleigh Farmyard organised for 230 orphans. It was such an awesome experience seeing all the happy faces in what must be such a sad time in their lives not having a family to spend it with. I guess they are all family to each other.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust also has a Rhino Orphan Response Project which increases the chances of survival for the orphaned rhinos. See http://www.ewt.org.za/programmes/LPP/orphans.html for more info.

Rocking PE Golf Club

Had some fun with Gino and the Centrestage crew at a corporate event at the PE Golf Club last night. I even got to play the drums!

Science Centre

Spend most of the day at the Nelson Mandela Bay Science Centre in Uitenhage. Really enjoyed all the displays and playing with the kids (and some adults).

The EWT Programmes

Here are the programmes of the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Now you can see why it is so important that they get the funds they need in order to deliver on all these mandates. Please share all my pages so I can win R20 000 for them!

	African Crane Conservation Programme (ACCP) Work is largely conducted through a joint venture between the International Crane Foundation (ICF) and the EWT. The programme empowers individuals and organisations to develop conservation activities and promotes the sustainable use and wise management of wetland,grassland and Karoo ecosystems.
	Birds of Prey Programme (BoPP) Focuses on the conservation of diurnal and nocturnal raptors, vultures and their habitats in southern Africa. Conservation threats to raptors and vultures are identified and addressed through the combination of the practical efficiency of the Project Coordinators with a strong scientific component thereby strengthening the effectiveness of the birds of prey conservation network on the sub-continent.
	Carnivore Conservation Programme (CCP) Promotes research on carnivores in southern Africa and even further a field particularly those species that are vulnerable or endangered with special emphasis on those aspects that will improve their conservation status through the implementation of sound management strategies.
	Drylands Conservation Programme (DCP) / (Riverine Rabbit Programme) Aims to ensure the survival of the Critically Endangered endemic Riverine Rabbit by implementing sound conservation programmes for the species and its unique Nama and Succulent Karoo habitat.
	Law & Policy Programme (LPP) Offers the EWT greater access to many parliamentary processes, giving the Trust a voice in the development of policies and legislation relating to the environment, and allowing us to make a difference at this level too.
	Source to Sea Programme (S2SP) The EWT-SSP works in marine and fresh water environments in order to ensure the conservation of marine and fresh water species throughout South Africa.
	Threatened Grassland Species Programme (TGSP) Uses highly Threatened Grassland Species as indicators of grassland health and conservation. Species currently receiving attention through this Programme are the Oribi, the Blue Swallow, the Sungazer and the Yellow-breasted Pipit.
	Threatened Amphibian Programme (TAP) is currently in the process of being established. Amphibians are currently the most Threatened Class of vertebrate on Earth, with 32% of species Red Listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable.
	Wildlife & Energy Programme (WEP) Energy & communications infrastructure represents one of the most important interfaces for interaction between man and wildlife, particularly in SA's growing economy. The Wildlife & Energy Programme is at the forefront of managing these interactions, to the benefit of both wildlife & industry.
	Wildlife & Transport Programme (WTP)Transport and transport infrastructure have a massive impact on wildlife and this threat has, in the past, gone un-researched and ignored.  The EWT-WTP works to address this concern whilst working with relevant private and public stakeholders in order to mitigate this form of human-wildlife conflict.

Source: http://www.ewt.org.za/programme.html

Remembering Madiba

Let us all remember what Nelson Mandela fought for: Equal rights for all. God created all of us all equal so it must be something we all fight for!

Christmas Shopping

After meeting all the Springbok sevens players we went shopping at Cape Union Mart for some Christmas presents using the voucher we won with the Find The Rhino competition. The kids were well entertained by one of the staff members while the parents shopped for more than an hour.

Meet the Springbok Sevens Team

It's almost time for the IRB Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament and yesterday I had the privilege of meeting some of the players. Below is some of them and Bokkie, the official mascot for Springbok rugby.

Birthday Weekend

My weekend was filled with Birthday parties. The schools are almost closed for the December holidays so most kids that have birthday parties during the holidays have them now so they can invite their friends. First party was at the Humewood beach with my brother Esian turning 6. The cake was a Great White Shark which is also one of the Big 7 that can be found in Nelson Mandela Bay.

On Sunday we put up the Christmas tree and had some much fun decorating it. Kaden could only reach one branch.