Although the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) is an entity that focusses on conservation, rehabilitation and protection of the wildlife in our country, they also focus on educating and training communities regarding the environment.
The WCT came to existence after the opening of the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) where the Roode family has been actively involved in conservation. Over two decades, HESC has come in contact with countless people, organisations and worthy causes, all sharing one thing in common: an inability to achieve their objectives alone. The WCT is a means of formalising the connections which have already successfully facilitated over the years.
As with any company of its sort the WCT is dependent on donations and sponsorships to maintain the various projects undertaken. The WCT currently is focused on, Supporting Communities and Promoting Education:
Supporting Communities – Community Outreach
WCT and its partners have helped in many community projects. The WCT is actively involved in community –led initiatives that integrate conservation with sustainable rural development.
Project Pencil – Supporting Learners with material needs
Project Pencil is an initiative that supports students in our local community with basic stationary sets. The pencil boxes contain items such as pencils, pens, rulers, scissors, erasers, pencil crayons, glue sticks and sharpeners.
Target – 1400 full pencil boxes to hand over by 2019.
Hand over – First day of the new 2019 term.
How can you help?
Lumukisa Preparatory
The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre tries to actively support underprivileged schools in the local area, either by direct donations or through providing school visitations and tours.

In April 2016, the HESC adopted Lumukisa Preparatory which is located in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, South Africa. The school supports 998 learners and 36 teachers.
As part of the partnership, we try to assist the schools with much-needed equipment by sharing their wish lists with the participants of the Wildlife Conservation Trust, as well as the visitors to the centre and our supporters. Funds are also raised through visitors and interested parties.
Click to view some of the 2017 projects:
https://hesc.co.za/2018/01//hesc-and-the-lumukisa-ablution-facility-project/
Computer learning centre at Lumukisa – Partnership with Capitec Bank – https://hesc.co.za/2017/09/hesc-thank-you-august-2017/
Uniforms – WCT sponsored uniforms for learners at Lumukisa Preparatory – https://hesc.co.za/2017/03/hesc-thank-you-march-2017/
Coaching for conservation
Investec Rhino Lifeline (IRL) and HESC have been in partnership since 2017 and since then IRL has helped to donate towards the Rescued Rhinos @ HESC.
Through the collaboration with IRL, we have been introduced to two organisations – Coaching for Conservation and the Good Work Foundation. Both these NGO’s are involved in educating communities bordering the Kruger National Park about conservation and the plight of the rhino.

More: https://hesc.co.za/2017/10/hesc-introduces-lumukisa-preparatory-to-investec-rhino-lifeline-irl/
Lumukisa Wish list
The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) and the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) continue to donate much needed items to Lumukisa Preparatory.
View the wish list
Pack for a Purpose
The Pack for a Purpose initiative allows travellers to use a small amount of space in their luggage to pack supplies needed by community projects around the world.
The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is a proud member of the Pack for a Purpose initiative:
Want to know what to pack?
Education
Recognising that conservation is an ongoing concern, the WCT has committed itself to educating younger generations on the importance of wildlife and the environment.
Rhino Art 
The Hoedpsruit Endangered Species Centre is actively involved in the education of learners, students and the general public about the necessity of conservation. This includes a community outreach programme and the Rhino Art @ HESC conservation initiative.


The aim is to create conservation awareness and a vested interest in protecting the rhino and other endangered species amongst the youth in general. Funding from the Wildlife Conservation Trust offers HESC the opportunity to grow the Rhino Art @ HESC project.
In 2017, The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre reached a further 9,825 children in schools within the Gauteng and Greater Kruger area.
Elephant Art – Launched January 2018
The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, Camp Jabulani and the Wildlife Conservation Trust have partnered with the Kingsley Holgate Foundation and Land Rover SA to encourage young people to record their thoughts about the on-going elephant poaching crisis, and use their voices as a call to action against elephant poaching and all wildlife crime.

The Elephant Art template is an elephant conservation lesson-on-a-page that educates the youth. The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre and WCT will assist in approaching and contacting schools in Gauteng and Kruger Area.
Partners:
Zero Plus Printers – SPONSORSHIP OF 5000 COPIES OF THE ELEPHANT ART COLOURING-SHEETS
HESC’s Junior Heroes
HESC is very proud of our young nature conservationists around the world. They continue to inspire us with their dedication to the cause of conservation of endangered species.
A number of schools and young individuals raise awareness and funds for the HESC through fundraising events held at their schools.
View more here.
HESC participates in anti-rabies campaign
https://hesc.co.za/2017/10/hesc-participates-in-anti-rabies-campaign/
If you would like to get involved in any of the above projects, please contact Ricki at fundraising@cheetahcentre.co.za
The Wildlife Conservation Trust was registered in 2015 with the Master of the High Court under IT586/2015(3) and is a Public Benefit Organisation, PBO Registration number 930049115.