Africa
Foundation
Why we are effective
"We are so pleased to see the role &Beyond is taking in the local communities. It made us feel good to be a small part of putting something back into the community. Visiting a Maasai village and seeing what &Beyond is doing to help the people was a highlight of our trip."
&Beyond guest book
"Only once I know they have the skills to look after these young ones without me can I retire."
Mama Mkhawanazi, a Local Champion identified by the Africa Foundation, working in her own community to meet their needs
Put very simply, we are effective because of you,
&Beyond
's guests, who enable us to carry on doing what we do. Over the years we have been fortunate enough to receive incredible project support from the guests who visit
&Beyond
's lodges and become familiar with the work we are doing in the communities that surround them. Without your generous contributions we would not be able to continue making a difference in these people's daily lives.
The other secret to our success is the meaningful and respectful involvement of the communities that we operate in. We work with the people in the communities, not just for them. Leadership structures within the communities are engaged, consultation is begun and it is through understanding exactly what communities are doing to meet their own needs with what they have that priority needs are identified. For this reason, each project is selected together with representatives of the community responsible for solving this need.
&Beyond
supports these Project Champions, who are involved in each aspect of the project management and are encouraged to take ownership and ensure that each project is sustainable.
The following five criteria are kept in mind when selecting each project:
- Community participation - the need must be identified as a priority by community leaders and the Africa Foundation involves these project champions in each step towards meeting that need
- Local champions - members of the local community are identified by their peers to take charge of each projects and thereby ensure buy-in from the entire community. Leadership capacity must be developed at grassroots level
- &Beyond as the main partner - the Africa Foundation supports &Beyond 's ethic of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the People and we work only with communities surrounding &Beyond conservation areas
- Guests as partners - the Africa Foundation offers &Beyond 's guests the opportunity to leave a legacy with the people of Africa's conservation areas and could not exist without your support
- Stable organisation - the Africa Foundation ensures that no less than 80% of every dollar, pound or rand donated directly reaches the beneficiaries, and regularly evaluated and monitors projects, ensuring they are sustainable
