Wildlife Conservation: Help me make a difference in Namibia!

Athina Servi Start Date: Dec 3, 2024 - End Date: Sep 2, 2025

My Travel Story

by: Athina Servi Start Date: Dec 3, 2024 - End Date: Sep 2, 2025
As a mental health professional, I am deeply committed to advocating for the well-being of people. However, mental health is deeply connected to the world around us, including the environment we live in and the wildlife we share it with. 

This September, I have the incredible opportunity to volunteer with IVHQ on a wildlife conservation project in Namibia, a place renowned for its unique ecosystems and breathtaking biodiversity. This initiative focuses on preserving endangered species and protecting habitats that are vital not only for animals but for the balance of our planet. 

Through this effort, I aim to extend my care beyond individuals and advocate for a healthier, more harmonious relationship with nature. I want to inspire others to see the importance of both mental health and environmental health and how they are inextricably linked. By protecting our planet's wildlife, we’re not only safeguarding animals but also ensuring a better future for ourselves and future generations.

Your donation will directly contribute to this project and help fund essential conservation efforts, from habitat restoration to anti-poaching measures. This campaign is about making a real impact by protecting what matters most!

Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to this shared goal. 

Thank you for supporting this meaningful mission! 

Updates

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  • What I’ll Be Doing In Namibia

    What I’ll Be Doing in Namibia
    While volunteering at the wildlife sanctuary, I’ll take part in a range of activities essential to the care, rehabilitation, and conservation of African wildlife. My work will include:

    Feeding and Care: Preparing food and feeding animals like lions, cheetahs, warthogs, and baboons, and providing intensive care for orphaned or injured juveniles.

    Wildlife Monitoring: Tracking animals on the reserve using spoor, GPS, and camera traps to study their movements and behavior.

    Conservation Research: Assisting with ongoing research on free-roaming carnivores, analyzing data, and learning about animal physiology through cheetah run observations.

    Sanctuary Maintenance: Building and repairing enclosures, maintaining fences and roads, and keeping the sanctuary clean and functional.

    Unique Activities: Participating in game counts on horseback, Rhino Rangers Lite activities like bush tracking and overnight monitoring, and attending conflict calls when needed.

    This experience will involve physical work and a mix of hands-on animal care, research, and sanctuary upkeep, all of which are crucial to the sanctuary’s mission. Whether it’s feeding a cheetah, tracking wildlife through the reserve, or building new facilities, every task supports the well-being of these incredible animals and helps them thrive.
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  • Previous Volunteering Experience

    Previous Volunteering Experience
    In 2019, I spent five incredible weeks volunteering in Fiji, where I had the privilege of teaching English, math, and sports to kindergarten children aged 3-5. Living with a local family and being immersed in their culture was a life-changing experience that deepened my passion for giving back and making a positive impact.

    Now, I’m excited to take this passion a step further by contributing to wildlife conservation efforts in Namibia this September. Just as I loved working with communities and children in Fiji, I’m equally committed to protecting our planet's incredible wildlife and ecosystems. Your support helps me continue this journey of meaningful change.
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