CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Private Safaris is at the forefront when it comes to responsible tourism. We pride ourselves in our efforts to maintain and protect the natural environment and show respect and support of local culture. Our corporate responsibility is primarily engaged in four strategic areas. Our main objective is to reduce the negative impact of tourism locally by:
a) Protecting children and adolescents from sexual exploitation and abuse
b) Ensuring fair working terms and conditions within the tourist sector
c) Improving water supplies at destinations
d) Mitigating the impact of climate change
Water Project
Private Safaris Kuoni have extended efforts to a pioneering projects in Mombasa, in which nine dams have been built to provide surrounding villages with their own water supplies. In addition, we also conduct intensive one-day training sessions with our partner hotels on how to reduce water consumption and how waste water can be cleaned.
Child Protection
According to UNICEF, child trafficking, poverty and discrimination have forced over two million boys and girls into prostitution worldwide. The figure is rising. The sexual exploitation of children and adolescents often leaves its victims with severe and lasting physical, social and emotional scars. Since this crime can be committed by misusing tourist travel facilities, we feel a direct responsibility to protect the children concerned. That’s why Kuoni signed the Child Protection Code (www.thecode.org) back in 2006. In doing so, we have committed ourselves to taking active steps to prevent child sex tourism – by informing our customers, by sensitising our employees and by working together with the people at our destinations to find solutions.
In Mombasa, a destination at which child sex tourism is an acknowledged problem, We are involved in a project that is specifically intended to raise public awareness of the issue and change people’s attitudes and behavior. The ‘Children at Risk’ project of the Child Welfare Society in Kenya is intended to expand the knowledge and the range of options available to people in the local villages, to ensure that children in the region are better protected against sexual exploitation.
The Child Welfare Society of Kenya is building a counselling centre for children and adolescents with Kuoni’s financial support. The centre is designed to allow the kind of exchange between the children involved and volunteer helpers and social workers that can act as a first step in rescuing these youngsters from their situation. By serving as a meeting place, the centre also helps strengthen the children’s confidence and self-awareness. And the external support and advice it provides can help them appreciate their potential, plan their working future and take advantage of local employment opportunities.
Plant-for-the-Planet Academy
Private Safaris East Africa in partnership with Plant for the Planet Foundation sponsored and organized an academy for children. The foundation which took over the management of the UNEP-led Billion Tree Campaign in December 2012, facilitated in the academy that hosted over 30 children drawn from different schools within Nairobi
The purpose of the academy was to; educate the children about environmental and justice issues and inspire them to take action, to give young Climate Justice Ambassadors the skills they need to empower their own friends and family about the vision to plant trees and achieve climate justice, to empower the children so that they too can tackle global challenges as part of a global movement. Through the session, the participating students had the opportunity to come up with concrete plans of action to be implemented at their various schools and communities.
As Climate Justice Ambassadors, the children that attended the academy will have the opportunity to give presentations, educate and empower other children to become Climate Justice Ambassadors as well.
The Children’s Initiative was founded in Germany in 2007 by the then 9 year old Felix Finkbeiner. While doing research for a school assignment Felix came across the story of Professor Wangari Maathai, a nobel prize Laureate who had planted more than 30 million trees in 30 years. At the end of his presentation, Felix envisioned a future in which children could plant a million trees in each country of the world. To date the initiative has attracted children from across 100 countries
Lake Turkana Festival
Private Safaris and the German Embassy amongst other corporate companies collaborate with the local Communities through organizing the Lake Turkana festival. The event is held annually to promote tourism and peace in Lake Turkana by bringing together the ethnic groups known for their occasional violent skirmishes and the frequent outbreaks of cattle rustling.
Gertrudes Hospital Sponsorship
Private Safaris joins the Gertrude hospital in their annual golf tournament which is organized in a bid to raise funds that are channeled towards medical treatment of the needy families. |
