Quality primary healthcare and Education are the foundational building blocks in empowering communities living on the edge of conservation areas. By improving access to these essential services, we strengthen community resilience, fostering a sense of well-being that directly influences attitudes towards conservation. Empowered communities are more likely to see the value in protecting their natural resources, transforming conservation from a perceived barrier into a sustainable opportunity for growth and prosperity.
xx% of our partner communities’ population is under 18
The brutal reality in Africa is that many rural communities simply do not have easy access to hospitals or local healthcare facilities and there is no denying the detrimental impact this has on the wellbeing of these communities.
Wild Impact has been working with communities and municipalities for three decades to increase access to a range of medical services. This includes building clinics and accommodation for healthcare workers; facilitating community-based care initiatives; and developing boreholes and dams for safe drinking water. Access to safe sanitation facilities also remains a major problem in poor rural communities and Wild Impact provides ablutions or Enviro-loos – hygienic but waterless ablutions – to schools, clinics and other community facilities. Our vision 2030 target is to ensure 80% of our partner community residents have access to quality primary healthcare.
Clinic infrastructure supported in last 5 years
Partner community residents served
Wild Impact partner communities
Healthcare workers’ accommodation blocks
Access to healthcare is one of the primary concerns of every community in which we work. Rural African communities are heavily disadvantaged when it comes to affordable and accessible quality healthcare. We work with communities and the Department of Health to facilitate the construction or improvement of rural clinic facilities. We also assist in the allocation and retention of medical staff through construction of accommodation at clinic sites.
Community Home-Based Care Centers are a community response to the void in services for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in SA. In rural areas, facilities are scarce or under-resourced, and the HBC system provides care to many including orphaned or vulnerable children needing a safe place go after school and receive a meal or homework assistance. We build infrastructure to support such services.
The first 1,000 days of life has also been referred to as ‘the brain’s window of opportunity’. Young children in developing countries are disadvantaged in this critical period of development as poverty reduces the possibility for the child to thrive nutritionally, physically and mentally. Quality, affordable pre-schooling plays a critical role in rural poor communities, assisting families to give their children the best possible foundation so they can flourish. Wild Impact supports communities in developing pre-school facilities and partners with organisations who provide training to improve the quality of education. Our vision 2030 target is to ensure 80% of Early Childhood Education learners achieve regionally relevant Early Learning Outcomes Measure.
ECD facilities supported in partner communities
Playground facilities established at ECD centres
Pre-school learners supported
Partner communities where ECD supported
The 4th Sustainable Development Goal aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. Learners in developing countries are enrolled in schools but infrastructure and resources to meet their needs is lacking. Rural communities suffer most with inadequate facilities, overcrowded classrooms and too few teachers. There is also a significant shortage of secondary level schools which seriously hinders the opportunities for children who often end their education after primary school. Those who are able, travel to the nearest town with a secondary school – either walking for long distances daily, or finding boarding at the school or town.
Having recognised these truths and imbibed them at the heart of the organisation, Wild Impact has been working for three decades to improve the quality of, and access to, education in rural communities in conservation landscapes. Our vision 2030 target is to ensure 80% of final year primary scholars and 40% of final year secondary scholars achieve an average greater than 60%.
Primary and Secondary schools supported
Primary and Secondary school learners supported
Primary and Secondary School dormitories built
Secondary School science labs and libraries built
Wild Impact is a Public Benefit Organisation registered in South Africa. Reg. No.: 930002115