KAWFT RUNNING 2017 is made up of 8 young runners who work closely with the Kariba Animal Welfare Fund Trust (KAWFT) organization in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the welfare of the wildlife of Kariba. Each runner, represents one of the 8 elephants which died in the Kariba area in 2016 (more information below). All runners will run 8 organised half or full marathons throughout 2017. Th
e team is well represented internationally with runners from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. The Kariba Animal Welfare Fund Trust (KAWFT) in Kariba, Zimbabwe was formed on 2 July 2010 by a group of Kariba residents for the purpose of treating and helping Kariba's wildlife and enabling a swift response to any animal welfare emergency in the area. Background to KAWFT:
Kariba is a small town located in Zimbabwe in the Charara Safaris Area, close to the Zambian border. This town is unique as it is located within a national park and is a popular destination for local and, although limited, international tourists. Kariba is known for the dam which is one of the biggest manmade dams in the world and often referred to as a lake. The lake hosts superb fishing, birding and wildlife viewing around the shores as well as inland. Unfortunately, recent town expansion, rising population, drought and difficult economic conditions has begun to weigh heavily on the wildlife population. KAWFT aim to manage and prevent further harm to Kariba’s wildlife by:
- Organising snare and poacher patrols in the area.
- Clearing of litter, in the bush and next to the roads, taking place a few times a year.
- Alerting the local community about what is happening with the wildlife and whether any new wildlife is seen in the vicinity, which may pose a risk to the community.
- Organising vetenary services to treat animals which, due to human inflicted injuries and wounds, may require it.
- Erecting public notices to inform the public on how to behave, on and off the roads, and to protect the wildlife.
- Other general services concerning the welfare of the wildlife. KAWFT is independently managed by Kariba residents and they work in conjunction with the local national parks authorities. All KAWFTs costs are met through collecting of public donations. More information on KAWFT as well as any updates on what has been happening can be found through their page at:
https://www.facebook.com/KaribaANimalWelfareFundTrustKariba/
KAWFT RUNNING’s story:
In 2016, in the space of 6 months, 8 elephants were killed in Kariba. 7 of these 8 elephants died due to rubbish ingestion from the local dump site which lacked a fence and 1 was poached for ivory through the use of cyanide poison. These incidents were within the town where people and traffic are readily found! All of these deaths were avoidable, and this was a huge loss to the resident population of elephants in the area. KAWFT put an appeal out for funds to erect a fence around the site as the local municipality did not have the money to do so. This sparked the beginning of KAWFT RUNNING. The funds for the fence have since been met due to generous donations, however, further financial support and assistance will put KAWFT in a better position to manage and prevent wildlife incidents in the future. How you can help:
1) Visit KAWFT facebook and web pages to learn more about this wonderful organization and the need for fund raising. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaribaANimalWelfareFundTrustKariba/
Website: http://www.wildzambezi.com/directory/161/kariba-animal-welfare-fund-trust-kawft
2) Like this KAWFT RUNNING page to keep up to date with the 8 runners and their 8 runs, KAWFT updates, KAWFT RUNNING events and more.
3) Sponsor a runner and donate
How to sponsor a runner and donate:
For all countries other than Zimbabwe:
Donate through our funding site at: https://chuffed.org/project/kawft-running-2017
For Zimbabweans:
Donate to KAWFT directly:
Paynow-
Visit www.paynow.co.zw/kawft. Use ‘KAWFT RUNNING’ in the description. Ecocash- Use ‘KAWFT RUNNING’ in the description. Sonya Mc Master (Registered Name – Stroebel) 0772 874 352
Debbie Ottman 0773 996 487
CABS payment- Use ‘KAWFT RUNNING’ in the description. CABS KARIBA
ACC NAME – KARIBA ANIMAL WELFARE FUND TRUST
ACC No: 100 265 7636
We ask for any donation large or small to contribute towards this much needed cause. As one of the favourite KAWFT African proverb goes ‘if you think you are too small to make a difference, you have never spent a night with a mosquito’. Specific goals for funds can be seen in the ‘mission’ section of this page. Please help us to help KAWFT look after the wildlife in Kariba. They do a brilliant job!
