The Power of HOPE: A Vital Force for Africa and Beyond

In communities across the globe, hope acts as a powerful unifier, inspiring people to come together in support of one another and to strive toward shared goals. It’s a force that fosters solidarity and collective strength, especially in times of crisis. Today, as we navigate significant global challenges, hope becomes even more essential. It’s a catalyst that drives us all toward a better tomorrow—our motivation for change and resilience, whether we face personal, communal, or planetary challenges.

While these words may reflect the common understanding of hope, they don’t fully convey the depth of its impact. Here, I want to share a more personal perspective.

 Having grown up with many privileges—access to education and a rewarding career in Southern Africa—I have experienced firsthand the contrasting reality of hopelessness. In 2022, I moved to the UK to launch Rewilding Africa CIC, driven by a mission to support biodiversity and impoverished wilderness communities. Despite extensive preparation and dedication, I was met with rejection from individuals and organizations, often without much consideration for our vision or potential impact.

 I began questioning: Does the world really care? 

At moments when I felt discouraged, I recalled the environmental devastation I had witnessed and thought of the wilderness communities in Africa whom I had set out to serve. These communities often lack education, representation, technology, or even the basic hope for a sustainable future.

 A Story from Zambia: The Cycle of Hopelessness

Whilst in Zambia recently, I heard a real life story of “Joshua” (not his real name), a resident of a poverty-stricken village south of Lusaka. Joshua has 22 children by three wives, and he can hardly remember all their names. His reasoning is heartbreaking: his only hope for financial security in old age is to have many daughters, whom he can marry off for the traditional bride price of six cows each.

 One of his daughters tried to break free of this cycle. She moved to Lusaka to pursue an education and find employment. However, faced with high unemployment and limited resources, she couldn’t complete her studies or secure a job. She ultimately returned to her village, married to contribute to her father’s “pension,” and became part of the ongoing cycle of HOPELESSNESS and poverty.

 This story isn’t just about one family; it’s a broader reflection of the systemic challenges most rural African communities face. With Africa’s population expected to double within 25 years, the urgency to provide alternatives to this cycle is paramount!

A Call to Action: Be Part of the Solution

 For those with resources, health, and time, there is an opportunity to create real change. By offering communities like Joshua’s a path toward hope—an alternative to survival-driven choices—we can impact not just their lives but the future of our planet.

NOW is the time to act.

 The Rewilding Africa Impact Collaborative (RAIC) is a testament to this commitment. Through prayer, gratitude, and perseverance, we have launched RAIC as a registered implementation entity in the UK. Our mission is to bring hope to Africa by addressing the interconnected issues of poverty, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss, through effective collaborations and implementation.

 We invite you to support or join our collaborative in the following ways:

Partner with Us: If you are a funder, service provider, or NGO already active in Africa, let’s collaborate on high-impact projects to address these socio-economic challenges in a nature-positive way.

 Subscribe: Support the collaborative by becoming a subscribed individual or business member of Rewilding Africa CIC (www.rewildingafrica.org.uk ) or sign up as an Ambassador to help advocate and help us raise funds for our cause.

Contribute to Our Legacy Endowment (RALE): With a target of £1 million, the endowment’s returns will help fund our collaborative’s mission while preserving the capital.

Tax-Efficient Giving for U.S. Donors: Through our collaboration with the Zambesia Conservation Alliance (ZCA), U.S. donors can contribute to our 501(c)(3) tax-deductible fund.

Invest in Our Impact Fund (RAIF): Managed in Mauritius, this fund is dedicated to community-centered, nature-positive socio-economic infrastructure projects in Africa.

Join RAIE (Rewilding Africa Impact Education): A global collaboration for research, shared learnings, and skill development led by Dr. Ezra Carlson. 

Our Vocational College development project also seeks funding to establish education centers throughout rural Africa.

Participate in Group Impact Travel: Experience our bespoke designed bucket list group travel itineraries in partnership with Orbis Expeditions, designed to give you a once in a lifetime Africa experience and the opportunity to witness the problems firsthand and support the collaborative.

Whatever you do, please don’t do nothing. Together, we can help break the cycle of hopelessness and build a sustainable future!

 How to Get in Touch

 For custom group impact travel itineraries, contact Orbis Expeditions on info@orbis-expeditions.com

For projects or request a detailed profile, contact our Managing Director, James Arnott, at james@raic.org.uk 

For partnerships, contact our Partnerships Director, Dominic Webb, at dom@raic.org.uk