The Rolex Awards honour those who “demonstrate a spirit of enterprise and address pressing needs around the world.” The Wilderness Foundation UK has long supported and produced the Umzi Wethu project because it addresses one of the most pressing needs of our time – HIV/AIDS – with a unique and succesful model integrating job training, mentoring and the healing power of wilderness.
On 18 November in Dubai, Andrew Muir (Executive Director, Wilderness Foundation Africa, Trustee Wilderness Foundation UK and leader of the collaborative Umzi Wethu programme) was honoured for his innovative vision and outstanding leadership in harnessing the healing power of nature in the multi-faceted Umzi Wethu programme. In addition to the great honour of receiving this award, and the international attention generated for the programme, a significant monetary award (USD $100,000) was presented to allow for expansion of the programme.
Andrew says:
“The healing capacity of nature is tremendous and unparalleled. The wilderness can sustain the human psyche and is a wonderful tool to facilitate social change. We know that, given the right opportunities and the right help, today’s highly vulnerable youths can be developed into the leaders of tomorrow.”
Umzi Wethu aims to produce graduates whose achievements and influence will extend well beyond Umzi Wethu (“Our Home” in Xhosa) will now be able to expand its reach – empowering youth from families broken by HIV/AIDS, providing practical work experience, counseling services and wilderness trail experiences. Now with two academies, one in Port Elizabeth and one in Somerset West, the programme has an 85% job placement rate for graduates. Expansion of the programme means more youth are able to participate in this life changing programme, more hope is given to situations that appear hopeless, and on the legacy of the spirit of wilderness.
Nine others were also honoured with a 2008 Rolex Award.
For more information on Umzi Wethu visit:
http://www.wildernessfoundation.org.uk/social-programmes/umzi-wethu/
For more information on Andrew Muir and Wilderness Foundation Africa:
http://www.wildernessfoundation.org.za
and the Rolex Awards:
