NIKELA TO SOUTH AFRICA OR BUST

What a marvelous day.

It is official!! Our second South African validation tour is a go for this September.

Think they're enough gas stations across the Atlantic?

What a privilege to meet with so many dedicated experts in protecting and advocating for Wildlife. What a thrill to see how Nikela can help.

The office is a flurry of activity to get all the ducks in a row for the trip. Phase II of the website should be launched just before we leave and our 501 c 3 tax exempt status finalized just after we get back. Ah… PROGRESS!!

Hope you will enjoy experiencing South Africa with us. Stay tuned for picture, video, and blog updates from these projects and Nikela’s progress.

Video Contest Sample

Of course quite hi-tech, but this is the general flavor (only wildlife related) that we'd like to get with our video created by your genius kids for our contest.


Charity:Water from John Chow on Vimeo.

For details about sending in your video.

Something you need to know about Margrit

The following is a personal experience that happened a few months back.

Margrit sits enthralled while admiring the mama Kudo standing outside our truck window her nose extended close enough to touch. What an experience to see the interaction between the two, the light shining in their eyes.

Their gaze lingers long as other vehicles pass behind us oblivious to the magic of this moment.

It is as if mama Kudo and Margrit are talking, sharing their love and common concern. You can literally feel Margrit’s promise and urgency swell as the peace between them deepens.

Being a bit slow on the uptake all these years, I finally realize the profound commitment my wildlife fanatic wife has to preserve and protect all living creatures from undo harm and in many cases extinction.

As we hesitantly drive away my commitment transforms from supporting the one I love in her adventure, to driving a Wildlife Nonprofit to make a huge difference for wildlife, children, and all of us. What a joy to help Margrit fulfill her promise.

Why the Survival of South African Wildlife Matters to Us All

If you're like most, you imagine that I grew up with lions and elephants roaming around in my neighborhood.

The King that's lost his crown!

Did you know an elephant mama is pregnant for 24 months!

Well, eventhough I grew up in the '60s the large South African mammals were only found in game parks.  Sadly, since then, more than half of the magnificent creatures South Africa is known for are gone.  Lost to poaching, trophy hunting, habitat loss and simple ignorance.  Unfortunately, the rate of loss has increased steadily over the past five years.

Why is this something we need to be concerned about?

South Africa is insignificant as land mass goes (only 1%) but extremely important when it comes to being home to the world's wildlife (around 10% when you include mammals, birds and reptiles).  You can see why protecting South Africa's wildlife is of global concern.   

Get involved by...

Following us on:

1. Blog (bookmark our blog http://www.nikela.org/)
2. Face Book (visit our Nikela Fan Page and join the community)
3. Twitter (hear the latest news first @ Nikela_Wildlife

Share some of your:

1. Time (email us)
2. Expertise (email us)
3. Money (Give what you can)

Every little bit helps and is much appreciated.

Why Would Anyone Want to Kill Them?

 "Why would anyone want to kill them?" asked Juneau, my 7 year old grandson, when he learned about endangered species.

Here are a few beautiful shots of those whose very lives depend on us.  Compliments of my photographer friend Frank Van Egmond.  Feel free to share.

YouTubes Most Popular Video

Who doesn't love those fun video clips done by kids? They get some of the highest number of views on YouTube, into the millions.

Which kid wouldn't thrill at the opportunity to have their video be one of those popular ones?

Here's their chance. Invite the kids and teens in your life to enter our wildlife video contest. Not only will they have a great deal of fun, they'll learn an appreciation for wildlife in the process, and their video may just be the one that makes a huge difference in the protection of wildlife.

Please visit our Face Book fan page to read about how kids and teens can help, do good, get published on the web and win $100 (which can of course be donated to the wildlife project of their choice.)

Feel free to pass this along to friends, family, and colleagues with kids and teens... or kids in your programs at church or community.
 
See you on YouTube!

Video Contest!

Win $100.00
Calling kids and teens!

Get creative!
Get published!

You’re invited to have some fun and create a short video clip that will make a huge difference.

Your video...

No longer than 3 minutes, can be full of photos, drawings, dramatization, or whatever, as long as the viewer falls totally in love with one (or more) of South Africa's beautiful wild animals or birds.

If you’re the winner your clip will be the feature video on NIKELA's new website to be launched in September.

Who is NIKELA?
NIKELA is a public charity helping the people who work so hard to save the wildlife of South Africa.

(Did you know that they’re half gone? In the last 40 years over half of the large mammals have disappeared from the African game parks… the very places that are meant to keep them safe! And worse yet, the rate of loss has increased over the past five years. But there’s hope, if we help those men and women working hard at their protection and by making Wildlife Advocates out of the local students and their families.)

Who Can Participate?
If you’re anywhere from one to sixteen years of age you’re invited to participate (if your parent(s) say it's okay of course).

What type of video?
Between 1 and 3 minutes. It can include music, singing, talking, illustrations, paintings, drawings, photos, or video clips. (Any thing that is not your original work must have the written permission of the author/creator.)

What’s it About?
The theme is South African wildlife. The purpose of the video is to give people a love for the wildlife there and a desire to want to help protect it. Learn more about what’s happening to the wildlife in South Africa and why we all need to do something now. (www.Nikela.org)

How do I enter the Contest?
Visit  our Face Book Contest page on our Nikela Fan Page.
Join the fun!  Do good!