Bwindi Community Hospital & Nursing School

Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy’s commitment to supporting communities living on the edge of wilderness extends to our work with Nakatindi Village in Zambia. Located some 5km from Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma Lodge, the Nakatindi Village sits on the border of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and its people live with the human-wildlife conflict every day.

HISTORY

Sanctuary Retreats believes communities like Nakatindi Village deserve to benefit from tourism, an industry that relies on their continued willingness to coexist with wildlife and is working with village leaders to positively impact lives and livelihoods.

EDUCATION

Together with our guests, Sanctuary Retreats continues to support Nakatindi Primary and Secondary School; we have constructed additional classrooms, refurbished existing classrooms, built a kitchen and expanded the school’s vegetable garden to generate an income and supplement the children’s diets. Our most recent investment is a state-of-the-art Learning Centre with a Computer Lab, Library and Conservation Education Corner.

We are also proud to provide lunch to 1,150 students every day, so that no child goes hungry, improving their ability to learn and the overall quality of their education.

CONSERVATION

Along with our guides, we hold regular events, workshops and excursions for students to inspire them to safeguard wildlife and natural resources. On Rhino Watch Trips the children witness a variety of wildlife, including white rhino and elephants, gain an understanding of the threats facing these species and why it’s vital to protect them. We hope our efforts and sharing of knowledge from our expert guides will encourage the growth of tomorrow’s conservationists and ambassadors for wildlife preservation.

HEALTH

In 2013, with help from generous guest donations, Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy constructed a much-needed medical clinic for the Nakatindi community. The clinic serves around 50 people every day and takes an active role in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

MATERNITY WARD

A 275 square metre maternity ward at Nakatindi is Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy's largest investment to date. The facility provides increased capacity for antenatal care (something that only 19% of Zambian mothers experience), makes labour and delivery safer for both mothers and infants and helps reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child. Thanks to the generosity of Sanctuary Retreats' guests, we have been able to construct a delivery room, spaces for antenatal and postnatal care, an ultrasound room, a duty room for staff, washrooms and an office.