Last autumn Frome woman, Daniela Scott, launched an appeal in the Frome Times for donations of football boots for workers at an elephant orphanage in Zambia – and her dream was answered by Forest Green Rovers, the greenest football club in the world!
Daniela worked as a volunteer researcher for three weeks last year with Game Rangers International (GRI) at their Kafue National Park, Camp Phoenix Orphan Elephant rehabilitation and release facility.
She explained, “The hard-working local men do a tough three-weeks on, one week off shift in camp. That’s three weeks away from their families. They also face daily dangers like wild animals such as lions, crocodiles and hyenas, as well as poachers who have killed their colleagues.
“So what they really look forward to at the end of the day is a game of football. It really is a big deal. However, the 25 workers only had 10 pairs of old boots between them. So I wanted to do something for these incredible guys that made me so welcome.
“I really respect these dedicated men. More so because when they first went to work for GRI they were despised by their local communities who earn money from poaching for bush meat, and helping professional poachers. But now they are respected in their communities, and seen as important figures who protect Zambian wildlife, educate local children and prove that there is a career in conservation for local people that can raise them out of poverty.”
Daniela launched an appeal and Dale Vince OBE, chair of Forest Green Rovers, and founder of Britain’s greenest energy company Ecotricity read it and offered to help.
Daniela continued, “Not only have Forest Green Rovers given the guys football boots, but also a full kit! And if that isn’t fantastic enough, they’ve said that they will support them for the time being!
“The GRI elephant keepers, protection scouts and camp workers got their Forest Green Rovers kit in January and were absolutely thrilled. It means such a lot to them because not only can more guys play, and get a much-needed release from a hard day, but for the guys to be recognised and supported makes them feel so valued.
“Also, these GRI workers made Zambian conservation history because for the first time in Zambia, a wild elephant was born to a rescued and released GRI orphan elephant, Chamilandu. She gave birth to her calf last September. He is called Mutanzi David after GRI founder, wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepard. Mutanzi means First Born in the local language.
So this is a perfect partnership between the greenest football club in the world and a respected conservation charity, as conservation and green living go hand in hand.”
