Lion Conservation and Horse Management Volunteer Abroad

Melissa Tomko Start Date: Apr 12, 2019 - End Date: Apr 11, 2020
  • Gweru, Zimbabwe

My Travel Story

by: Melissa Tomko Start Date: Apr 12, 2019 - End Date: Apr 11, 2020
Horse Management and Lion Conservation Volunteer Abroad

I'm reaching out to family, friends, and anyone generous enough to donate. My passion has always been with animals. Whether it's working, helping, or playing with them, I am always there wanting to experience it firsthand.
 
About Myself 》 I'm 16 years old, not yet out of high school. I'm enthusiastic about working with animals and helping those in need. Recently I found opportunity's for student travel and decided to incorporate my love for animals in with it. My recent devotion to horses the last four years has driven me to find opportunities to learn, not only about horses and their management, but also learning about the different careers associated with them. My desire to be around animals didn't start there though. Before that, I envisioned myself working side by side with animals either as a veterinarian, or a wildlife biologist. Now that I've found the specific animal I want to devote my life to, whether it be through my career or as a hobby, I want to obtain as much knowledge about them as possible. I feel that this program can kick start my dream of one day working with them side by side.
 
About the Journey 》 This volunteer trip is focused around the proper management of horses, and the conservation of lions in Zimbabwe. Horses play an extensive roll in helping society function. In the US they are being used for recreational and thereauputic purposes, along with pulling our carts and carriages. They are mostly used in entertainment today, but in other developing countries they play a large roll in farming and agriculture. Lions are one of nature's most aggressive predators. They keep many herbivores in check, and without them, certain species would suffer. The number of lions in the wild are rapidly decreasing, but through conservation efforts many lions get to live a safe, natural life.
 
The Goal 》 One of the goals of this trip is to learn new techniques to correctly manage a herd of horses, but the main objective is to help lions while they still have a chance. After their numbers increase they can live natural lives with little human intervention.
 
Learning Experiences 》 Volunteering in an unfamiliar environment will be challenging. But most importantly, it will be a great way to gain new knowledge on critical topics, and help make a difference in an animals life along the way. This trip will reward me with many new skills, and an abundance of practical knowledge. It will grant me the opportunity to gain invaluable understanding of another culture, and how they work. I will gain skills in business, leadership, teamwork, and communication. But most importantly it will give me a way to enhance my personal development as a future young adult.

Volunteer Activities 》 There will be many projects that I would participate in as a volunteer. 
• Stable Duties- Grooming, Feeding, Basic Veterinary Care 
• Assisting with guests and guiding trail rides, pony rides and safari rides.
• Helping with everyday management of the facility
• Border patrol of the reserve on horseback
• Preparing meat for the lions
• Learning techniques to stimulate lions to engage in natural behaviors
• Many more once in a lifetime activities
 
How your donation helps 》Any donation, big or small will help me to further reach my goal. Some of the ways it helps:
• Program Fee
• Flights/Airfare
• Medical/Travel Insurance
• Weekend trips or tours (Visting animal sanctuaries, National parks, nearby towns) 
• Other everyday expenses

Why you should donate 》 Volunteering abroad can be an extremely rewarding experience, but I need your help to make it happen. If you want to:
• Make a difference in a vulnerable animals life 
• Support me so I can get involved with my biggest passion 
• Assist me in learning something new
• Help me to Succeed
 
I encourage anyone to share this with their friends or family, even if you are unable to donate. No donation is to small, all donations will aid me in reaching my goal. This trip will take place in the summer of next year (2020) 
Thank You
  • Gweru, Zimbabwe

Updates

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