28 May 2015
An eight-year-old South African girl was so moved by the plight of rhinos, she
decided to do something to help stop poaching.
"My name is Alyssa Carter and I am eight years old," she says. "After we learnt
about endangered animals at school and I heard about the rhinos being killed, I
actually cried... I wanted to do something to help save the rhinos because they are
my favourite animal.
"I decided to draw a picture that we printed on to chocolates, and I am selling the
chocolates for R10 each to make money to help save the rhinos."
Alyssa started making and selling her chocolates in May 2013, and this week,
Alyssa's Save The Rhino's Fund working with the South African National Parks
(Sanparks) Honorary Rangers officially handed over two trained sniffer dogs to the
Ranger Corps in
Marakele National Park.
The handover was facilitated by the Waterberg region of the SANParks Honorary
Rangers and the Sanparks Honorary Rangers canine fund.
"The Sanparks Honorary Rangers are proud to be associated with this important
initiative that is making a difference in the conservation and the protection for the
rhino population within our national parks," said Louis Lemmer, the national
chairman of the group.
"This partnership between the Sanparks Honorary Rangers and Alyssa's Save The
Rhino's Fund is an example of how the public can make an active contribution to
such an important cause."
Alyssa started making and selling chocolates in May 2013. They feature picture of a
rhino drawn by the eight-year-old. The chocolates sell for R10 each and more than
R300 000 has been raised to date. Alyssa's dream is to raise even more money to
help buy additional trained sniffer dogs for the country's national parks, as well as
the necessary
supplies for the dogs.
The Sanparks Honorary Rangers used 100% of all money raised for the purpose for
which it was donated, the organisation said. No public money was used to run
activities and every cent donated by the public for counter poaching or other
projects was used to fund the actual project in South Africa's national parks.
"Tomorrow, when our rangers face the challenges of a new day in the bush, they
will do so with the full knowledge that there are people who appreciate and support
them in what they do," Sanparks honorary rangers said.
SAinfo reporter
A white rhino in the Kruger National Park. (Image: SANParks)
