NVTrust Newsflash June 2013
Dear Nature’s Valley Trust supporter
The three Groen Sebenza interns arrived to start work at the Nature’s Valley Trust on the 3 June 2013. They will be based with us at the Nature’s Valley Trust for the next two and a half years. The office is now a hive of activity, with all six interns settling down and getting to grips with their work schedules. Cindy-Lee, having spent large chunks of last year on her own in the office, will never feel lonely at work again!
The Nature’s Valley Trust is proud to partner with WWF-SA by hosting these three Groen Sebenza interns. Two of them, Yola and Yanga will work mostly on the Environmental Education and Community Programs with Cindy, while Nelishka will be working on these but also participating in the Research and Conservation Programs.
Here is what each of them have to say about themselves:
Noluyolo Obose
“I am Noluyolo Obose. I was born and grew up in the Eastern Cape, Tsolo District, at Upper Mjika Location. I moved to Cape Town in 2003, working for two different companies. I am in my third year of studying part time through UNISA towards my Diploma in Nature Conservation.” Yola has some Environmental Education Experience, having volunteered at Kirstenbosch for about 8 months last year.
Yanga Manyakanyaka
“My name is Yanga Manyakanyaka. I was born in Cape Town and I grew up in a township called Khayelitsha. My love for the environment was inspired by my late grandfather’s farm at the Eastern Cape. During school holidays I used to visit and I loved the peaceful environment it entails. When I was home at Khayelitsha it used to be a different environment altogether so I felt I had a huge responsibility to try and educate my community about the environment. I recently registered a recycling company however due to a shortage of skills and experience I had in the field of environmental management I applied for an internship with SANBI as an employer and WWF as the host and I am currently based at Natures Valley Trust. I am in the process of enroling with UNISA for a BA in Environmental Management.”
Nelishka Singh
“I am Nelishka Singh, a Johannesburg-bred city girl. My passion for animals led me to study a BSc degree in Zoology, Ecology and Conservation. During my studies I found that I enjoy assisting and teaching others about the environment and I thought more about getting into Environmental Education. Once I completed my BSc Honours degree, I went to work at an environmental college which boosted my interest and passion in teaching. I have always had an interest in research as well, as I have been exposed to researching and projects throughout my university career. Therefore working at Nature’s Valley Trust is an absolute dream as it has both research and environmental education. I am thrilled to be working here and look forward to my time here.”
We had a fun staff induction for all six interns on the 3 June. Kelly Brown made a cake to celebrate, and we had some fun activities and ice-breaker games (click here to watch a short video of this!) to get to know each other.
So watch this space! With a full team of interns it enables Cindy and I to grow our programs and do even more to understand the ecology of Nature’s Valley and surrounds, educate local communities, and help us retain the valuable conservation status of Nature’s Valley!
Kind regards
Mark & Cindy-Lee
For the NVT team
“THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS FOR THE TRUST TO BE SUPPORTED BY A REGULAR, ANNUAL COMMITMENT FROM THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO LOVE NATURE’S VALLEY”
This remains our intention and motivation. Donations, primarily by the Nature’s Valley community, have enabled the Trust to be established, and sustained since 2001.
ANY DONATION TO THE NATURE’S VALLEY TRUST, NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR SMALL, IS APPRECIATED
All donations will go toward the running and projects of the Nature’s Valley Trust. Please send an email or fax the donation form below to Cindy-Lee Cloete, indicating your donation amount, Please consider making your donation either a monthly or yearly commitment to the Nature’s Valley Trust and indicate it on the donation form.