If you want to have the best volunteer abroad experience that is making a tangible difference to communities or wildlife, then it’s vital that you choose only the best volunteer organization. Travel industry awards showcase the companies that are sustainable and responsible, in other words, the very top of their class. We’re proud to say we are one of those organizations and have been nominated as Africa’s Leading Conservation Company in the World Travel Awards for the 11th year in a row.
Global Conservation Challenges
The best volunteer organizations try to tackle some of the biggest problems our world’s wildlife faces.
- Land animal populations have declined by 38% since 1970
- Freshwater animals, like frogs, have declined by 81% since 1970
- Marine animals, like sharks, have declined by 36% since 1970
- Each year 1 million seabirds die because of plastic
- The biggest threat to the populations of vertebrates is loss of habitat
“The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?” – David Attenborough
World Travel Awards Nominates African Impact
These statistics indicate opportunities for all of us to get involved and create a better planet (it’s the only one we’ve got). We work tirelessly to facilitate solutions to some of Southern Africa’s greatest needs. Our 70+ projects take place in 11 countries, with many focusing on wildlife and ecosystem conservation. Since 2004, we’ve seen increased big cat populations, green infrastructure being built, and countless hours spent on anti-poaching efforts. We could not do this without the help of volunteers from all over the world and we take our hats off to them.
Hollywood’s award season may be over, but ours has just begun, and while our awards ceremonies feature (slightly) fewer couture gowns, we’re just as excited. Why? Because the World Travel Awards has nominated us as Africa’s Leading Conservation Company for the 11th year in a row.
These awards seek “to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry”. Its an honor to be recognized as such an organization – we strive for excellence at every level. That’s why we’re delighted that the hard work of our volunteers gets recognized. We’re celebrating with each and every one of you.
Why We Are the Best Volunteer Organization for Conservation
Our conservation efforts include pioneering projects that build healthy and functioning ecosystems, promote employment for those in wildlife tourism, and ground a future for African wildlife populations. These efforts include work with big cats, the Big 5, chimpanzees, dolphins, turtles, and other wildlife. Our international volunteers partner with locals and experts to build a lasting-solution that will benefit an entire community.
In addition, our community efforts aim to address the well-being of every African according to UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals. Consequently, some of our focus points include addressing healthcare, income-generation, gender equality, education, infrastructure, and sports coaching.
African Impact’s Volunteering Achievements
Our projects have measurable impacts thanks – in a large part – to the stunning efforts of our volunteers. Some of the outcomes we’re especially proud of include:
One highlight from each of our focus areas
Focus Area | A Notable Highlight |
---|---|
Early Childhood Development | 4,577 hours spent assisting nursery school teachers in rural classrooms |
Education | Built a school the very first African Impact school in Zanzibar and spent 3,929 hours supporting teachers in schools |
Adult Education | 18 adults completed a 6-week language course in Moshi, Tanzania |
Community Empowerment | Trained 20 teachers in St Lucia, South Africa |
Conservation | 409 hours spent on anti-poaching efforts |
Healthcare | 2,597 hours providing home-based care to house-bound patients |
Research and Monitoring | 2,500 hours spent researching lions |
Sustainable Infrastructure | 4,000 eco-bricks made and used for sustainable buildings in Livingstone, Zambia |
Sports | Held a 7-week street sports tournament for over 200 children where one child was scouted for cricket in Cape Town, South Africa |
Photography | Formed a new partnership with Africa Geographic to showcase our volunteer photographs |
Gender Equality | 324 hours spent providing income-generating business training to 13 participants of a women’s group in Moshi, Tanzania (who will go on to train another 13 women) |
Each of these achievements has taken place on a single project. Consequently, the collaboration of a few individuals from different backgrounds has already changed the landscape of the very earth they’re working on.
African Impact’s Awards
This nomination is hardly a ‘once in a blue moon’ gig for us and thus, we are really proud to be one of the best volunteer organizations on the planet. We’ve been nominated across numerous platforms for several years and last year alone, were the recipients of:
- Top Volunteer Abroad Organization Award (GoAbroad)
- Outstanding Volunteer Project Award (Global Youth Travel Awards)
- Top Volunteer Abroad Program Award (GoAbroad)
- Innovative New Program Award (GoAbroad)
Browse the full list of our (fabulous) history of awards.
Vote in The World Travel Awards
Being nominated for this award every year is incredible, but this year, we want to win it! We are calling on our volunteers, partners, friends and family members to vote for us and help establish African Impact as Africa’s Leading Conservation Company.