Support Safaris R Us safari workers
Update
19 Aug 2020
Frank, Edwin, Neema and Jim say thank you xo
Normally August is one of the busiest months of the year for safaris. Safari guides are non stop driving with back to back safaris, garage mechanics are working in the middle of the night to do maintenance on a vehicle that has to leave again the following morning and the bookings team are flat out trying to get accommodation and park fees organized for guests.
However with Covid, the workers are all at home and the safari cars are parked in the shed.
So sad that this pandemic has hurt so many not only here Tanzania but all around the world.
But if you look closely, during bad times are opportunities for humanity to shine. And your support, especially given the fact that you too maybe hurting, is one of those shining moments.
Thanks to YOUR support, families here in Tanzania have been touched by your kindness. Thanks to you, our safari workers and their families have some food, rent money and school fees for their children. May God bless you for your kindness and generosity.
Today I gave out another round of financial support to our people this side. Some pictures of some of the workers are attached. Safari guides like Walter, Jackson, Jim and Edwin as well as Frank and Neema (who work behind the scenes getting all the park and accommodation vouchers prepared for the guides) were all very grateful for the support. And to repeat what Jim said, "its amazing how people on the other side of the world are thinking of us"
When talking with each one about how their families are going during this time, its hard to hear the reality but thanks to YOU, we have been able to give them some happiness and breathing space as they navigate an alternative way to support their families during this time.
Yes, Tanzania does not have a welfare system but we have had YOU xo
I will continue giving the workers some money each month for the next few months, in hope that tourists will return soon, but in the meantime, I will close, with thanks, this fundraising page on Friday .
Update
19 Aug 2020
Message received from Walter evening of the 18th August: HI GEMMA, HAVE REACHED HOME A SHORT WHILE AGO I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH FOR THE MONEY GIFT FROM YOU, RICHARD AND FRIENDS.
IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE(IF NOT ENTIRELY IMPOSSIBLE)TO FIND AN EMPLOYER WHO HAS TIME TO THINK OF HIS STAFF DURING SUCH DIFFICULT TIMES FOR EVERYONE IN THE SAFARI INDUSTRY-EMPLOYERS & EMPLOYEES ALIKE.
MAY ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS YOU ALL FOR THIS EXTRA-ORDINARY CONSIDERATION DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT AND UNCERTAIN TIMES!!
ONCE AGAIN,
ASANTE SANA! WALTER
And:
We are all still astounded by your amazing efforts on this-you are looking after us in times of need indeed!!
It is HIGHLY APPRECIATED Once again Asante Sana and Good night!!
Pictured is Walter and fellow safari guide Jackson today
Update
24 Jul 2020
As of today we are at $11,881 and so we have reached our target (!!) which we are SO thankful of. The extra money will allow us to support the families of our workers for a little longer than we what we had planned for which I am so grateful for. Over the coming months I will be giving 100-200USD to each worker periodically so thanks so much for helping this idea to become a reality. Pictured is Bonnie and George who work on the safari vehicles. They are part of the safari crew you are supporting with your kind donation as the garage piece work they normally get paid to do is next to nothing now due to the entire safari industry coming to a screeching halt from the end of March.
However no matter how dark the covid situation has become for the tourism industry of Africa, YOU are helping to keep that candle light burning. So thank you xox
This page will remain open for another week or so in order for me to give you a few more updates before its closed.
Update
24 Jul 2020
The smiles say it all. Thanks so much for giving your financial assistance, as each of the safari related workers in the attached picture has a family to support. With no welfare system in Tanzania and so many people out of work in the country the 100 -200USD that we gave each person today is VERY much appreciated.
Update
24 Jul 2020
It is not the end of the month yet but given the situation here on the ground, today I gave some money out to some of the mechanics. Pictured here is Apolo and Nabulu. These are some of the men who work behind the scenes to help keep the vehicles in good working condition for safari clients (which given the roads here, is not an easy job to do!). Thanks to you, their families have some money to buy essentials.
Update
11 Jul 2020
We are almost there!
As of writing this update, together we have raised $7925AUD! Only approx $2000AUD to go!
Thanks so much for so graciously supporting people on the other side of the world, our safari crew and their families xo
Even though we actually don't receive the money from MyCause till the end of the month, I have already started giving some out as schools returned last week here in Tanzania (after a 2 month shutdown) and so I know school fees are on the minds of most of our safari related workers.
This morning some of the safari drivers came to see me (Edwin, Jackson and Walter are pictured for example). They had no idea why I had called them and so it was wonderful to see their faces when I told them how you have been thinking of them and sending the most beautiful messages in order to help out. They were so shocked and so happy! I wish I had taken a video of their reactions but sadly did not think of it at the time.
The 100-200USD that each worker will be receiving periodically over the coming months will really help them (and their families) as they gradually get back on their feet after the shock of the realization that a normal safari season is not going to happen for some years.
I will send a video to you also from the men who had a few words to say on behalf of their co-mates.
FYI the link to the video mentioned above is below so you can cut and paste into your internet window. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aW5r8SYICgbtBdSlKBl60thZpBeBq9Il/view?usp=sharing
Many blessings to you and your family, Gemma
DONATIONS70
Nathalie Suet
Fri, 14 Aug 2020
$ 50
I am very sorry that your tourism industry has been so hit by this pandemic as well as Safari R Us. I keep the best memory of my trip in 2016 with Walter and hope his family can also benefit from your Fundraiser. Thoughts and prayers from Nathalie, Sydney. Can you convey my message to the TEAM and Walter plse with kind regards. Asanta sana.
I am very sorry that your tourism industry has been so hit by this pandemic as well as Safari R Us. I keep the best memory of my trip in 2016 with Walter and hope his family can also benefit from your Fundraiser. Thoughts and prayers from Nathalie, Sydney. Can you convey my message to the TEAM and Walter plse with kind regards. Asanta sana.
$ 50
Anonymous
Sun, 9 Aug 2020
$ 100
$ 100
Nicole Bladwell
Fri, 7 Aug 2020
$ 150
Thinking of you all in this very tough time. Please send our best to Walter. Nicole, Sophie and Issy
Thinking of you all in this very tough time. Please send our best to Walter. Nicole, Sophie and Issy
$ 150
Anonymous
Mon, 20 Jul 2020
$ 150
$ 150
Des Robyn Ryan
Sun, 19 Jul 2020
$ 106
Thinking of all you great people.
Thinking of all you great people.
$ 106
June
Thu, 16 Jul 2020
$ 100
How could I not give support to those who have given me such wonderful times on safari - their care, thoughtfulness, willingness to help us follow our dreams to see and experiences the wonders of Africa have been unmatchable! Thank you. All the best... always...
How could I not give support to those who have given me such wonderful times on safari - their care, thoughtfulness, willingness to help us follow our dreams to see and experiences the wonders of Africa have been unmatchable! Thank you. All the best... always...
$ 100
Julie McMahon
Thu, 16 Jul 2020
$ 100
Wonderful memories of our amazing safari with the incredible Walter. Pass on our warm regards to him. Love Julie & Graeme
Wonderful memories of our amazing safari with the incredible Walter. Pass on our warm regards to him. Love Julie & Graeme
$ 100
Ann Campbell. Hoping this helps you in these hard times . Special hello to Walter our guide and driver in 2016 !!
Thu, 16 Jul 2020
$ 100
$ 100
Gillian King
Wed, 15 Jul 2020
$ 200
We’re very happy to support your wonderful safari workers so they can feed their families and be ready to pick up the threads of work when travel is possible again.
We’re very happy to support your wonderful safari workers so they can feed their families and be ready to pick up the threads of work when travel is possible again.
$ 200