Vision and Goals
At Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, we believe that the future of conservation rests in the hands of future leaders. Through our Youth Development course, we aim to empower vulnerable youth in conservation landscapes, equipping them with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to build meaningful futures.
The program fosters personal growth, resilience, and self-awareness while offering job-readiness and vocational training tailored to the needs of each participant. It also creates pathways to employment, further education, or entrepreneurship, all while instilling a strong sense of environmental stewardship.
By supporting vulnerable youth, we’re investing in the next generation of conservation leaders and creating a ripple effect of empowerment across entire communities.
Partners
Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa collaborates with Wilderness Foundation Africa, the Nedbank South Africa Charity Golf Day, and various wildlife reserves that share our commitment to youth empowerment and environmental education.
Wilderness Foundation Africa leads the Siyazenzela Employability, Wellness and Leadership Training, our selected youth development course. With over 25 years of experience, their proven model combines personal development with environmental awareness, guiding vulnerable youth from unemployment to economic independence.
The immersive month-long program, including the wilderness trail experience, is hosted several times a year in various conservation landscapes.
This program is made possible through the support of Nedbank South African Charity Golf Day, whose funding for our youth development courses plays a vital role in creating long-term opportunities for youth in conservation areas through our Rhino Champion Program.
In addition, the SeaWorld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund provides essential funding that strengthens the impact of our youth development work.
We are also grateful for the generous support of Mantis and Accor, whose contributions help sustain and expand this initiative through our Cheetah Champion Program.
Project in Action
Each year, several intakes of 20 young people from communities in conservation landscapes are selected to participate in the Siyazenzela course, a four-week employability and wellness training program by Wilderness Foundation Africa. Siyazenzela, meaning “We are doing it for ourselves” in isiXhosa, is built on a holistic curriculum that addresses emotional, social, occupational, physical, financial and environmental well-being.
Throughout the course, participants receive job-preparedness training, vocational guidance and opportunities for personal reflection. The goal is not only to prepare youth for employment, but to help them better understand themselves, their goals and their role in shaping a sustainable future.
A key feature of the program is the Wilderness Trail, an immersive nature-based experience that offers space for reflection and transformation. Away from daily distractions, participants begin to connect with their environment, discover inner resilience and develop a profound appreciation for nature. These moments often become the catalyst for long-term change, creating youth who return home with new skills and confidence to become role models and ambassadors for conservation in their communities.
The course represents the first step for selected graduates to continue their Greening Young Futures journey through our Rhino Champion and Cheetah Champion opportunities.
