The devastating impact of Covid-19 touches every village or town and every person across the globe. Developing nation’s rural economies dependent on tourism have been hit especially hard. Tourism exists in Africa largely because people can come and see the Big Five and other species.
In South Africa, where tourists would normally travel for wildlife safaris, the lockdown has left many unemployed and unable to support their families. To aid those affected, a group of nature guides and friends have collaborated to create a collection of wildlife photographs for sale – Photos For Food.
FEED A FAMILY
Each purchase of these unique photographs funds food parcels distributed by the non-profit Nourish. The organisation works to find sustainable solutions to conservation issues by tackling social issues. These include poverty, low education, unemployment as well as a lack of education and food security. Nourish is based in Mpumalanga – one of South Africa’s most poverty-stricken areas.
Founder of Photos For Food and safari guide, Jonty Bozas, said, “We decided to do our part in helping the humanitarian efforts in fighting hunger, by donating some of our best wildlife photographs.”
“During this time we have all been cast into a world that we are not certain how we are going to survive. I could not help but think about the families in our local communities that do not have any income or any savings to get them through this time.”
THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Other contributors include Ricci Bozas, Gareth Poole (Guide at Singita), Matthew Poole (MD at Safari Wines), Matthew Murray (Director at Completely Unique Safaris), Theo York (former Guide at Mala Mala Game Reserve), Nick Kleer (Guide at Completely Unique Safaris), Andrew Dankwerts (Guide for Wild Eye) and Grant Pengilly and Michelle Campbell (Owners of Wild Wonderful World).
50% from every photo sold will go to food parcels put together and distributed by Nourish.
The sale of each digital wildlife image will feed a family of four for an entire week.
The now-unemployed guides/photographers are donating their 50% back to Nourish, emergency wildlife conservation funds and conservation projects.
New photographs are added regularly, offering more images that capture the beauty of South Africa’s wildlife. Since launching on April 25, the initiative has contributed over USD$1900 to Nourish for food parcels.
HOW IT WORKS
- Choose one or multiple images from the online shop.
- Click “Add to cart” to purchase the image(s) in digital format.
- Follow the steps on the screen to check out.
- After completing checkout, you will receive a download link to your file(s) immediately.
- Photos For Food will take it from here!
- 50% of your purchase will be donated immediately to Nourish, so they can proceed with buying all the items that will go into the food parcels.
- Photos For Food founder, Jonty Bozas, will be going to Nourish every Thursday to help put together the parcels and distribute them in the local communities.
- Enjoy your little piece of Africa and the feeling of becoming a hero for one (or multiple) families in need!!
- Photos For Food will update you through their social media channels about the families you helped support. Follow on Instagram or Facebook.
