Hideaways is committed to improving the lives of those living in the Dingani community close to our lodge Elephant’s Eye, Hwange, either through employment, supporting local businesses or through the various projects organized through the Grow Africa Foundation. One of our deepest concerns most important initiatives is to address the lack of access to education, as is funding for additional teaching staff, books, facilities etc. So in order to help keep children in school and help improve the school’s finances, Hideaways has pledged to sponsor the school fees of one Dingani child for one year for every booking of 3 nights or more received at Elephant’s Eye. For a Dingani child, your stay will truly be a ‘life-changing experience’!
One of the biggest obstacles to children’s education in rural Zimbabwe is a lack of resources. Families survive on as little as $2 a day and often struggle to make ends meet. Education is one of the most important tools that can be used to break the cycle of poverty but school fees need to be paid and sometimes there simply isn’t enough money at the end of the month after covering basics such as food and shelter. The school cannot waive fees as they too need to cover operating costs and pay teachers’ salaries. Grow Africa and Elephant’s Eye, Hwange are closely involved with Dingani Primary school and assist through many initiatives, the most basic of which is maintenance and upkeep of the building and more ambitious projects such as Project Penya and sponsoring an Early Childhood Development teacher, this is all made possible through the help of our partners and guests at the lodge.
Our latest initiative is something we are incredibly proud of, the pledge to sponsor a full year’s school fees for a child at Dingani Primary for every guest who stays 3 nights or more at our lodge. Guests who choose our lodge for their safari holiday will play a vital role in ensuring a positive future for a member of our community and it requires practically no effort on their part.
Of course, if they wish to get involved in further initiatives they are more than welcome to do so. We are so grateful for this support but the most grateful of all is the student who knows that they can continue on the path to an education that will change their and their family’s life.
