Community Projects
Ultimate Usage of Land
“I am proud to have initiated what I believe to be the ultimate responsible usage of land as a platform for sustainable; social upliftment, conservation and renewable energy projects, in one of South Africa’s most impoverished towns and during a national power shortage.” said Aquila owner Searl Derman.
Community Projects – Touws River
Touws River is an impoverished overlooked town that has fallen on bad times and no longer part of the main fare to Cape Town. This is due to the collapse of the railway station and then a disastrous flood. Before the development of Aquila Private Game Reserve, there was a 97% unemployment rate. The main source of income was the seasonal grape picking. Aquila Private Game Reserves main focus is on Job creation, conservation and tourism linking all three into sustainable effort.
With Aquila Private Game Reserves efforts, Searl Derman aspires for Touws River to one day be compared to Nelspruit in relation to the Kruger National Park as far as the creation of employment and creation of many small businesses and opportunities is concerned.
Job Creation and Community Upliftment
All building on Aquila is done by the people from the local community. Aquila has initiated a block-making job creation project. This project was launched to create employment and develop skills by manufacturing building blocks rather than the purchase thereof. This project currently produces approximately 600 bricks a week allowing this project to remain sustainable.
We are proud that all skills needed on the reserve have been sourced from the town of Touws River . With on going education programmes our staff are trained in the hospitality, building, tourism and conservation industries.
Education
Since 2004 Aquila Private Game Reserve has subsidised a full time teacher at the local school. This is an ongoing effort to invest in the future of the community. Aquila continues to host school children from previously disadvantaged schools on complimentary daytrips to the reserve.
A vision of Aquila Private Game Reserve would be to allow every child in Cape Town to have the privilege of being educated about the wild animals, flora and fauna our reserve has to offer. To make this sustainable often vouchers / prizes are given to the school to raffle. This money is then used to afford the discounted rates for the cost of entry into Aquila Private Game Reserve. This project allows them to raise extra funds for resources they desperately need.
Food for Litter Campaign
Aquila Private Game Reserve will continue its successful/sustainable “Food for Litter” campaign by providing the nightly soup kitchen that prepares up to 12,000 meals per month. By swoping litter the community receives a cup of soup.
In this way the community is being “cleaned up” litter is being recycled and the local community recycle plant is receiving support from the Reserve.
Aquila Blanket Drive
Aquila Private Game Reserve through Nations Mission holds bi-annual charity fundraisers in the Western Cape, to provide very necessary basic supplies of blankets and towels to the local community of Touws River.
Over the years Aquila has given blankets to almost every family in Touws River. Tins of food, party bags with sweets and other food items are also distributed at this time. This on going initiative has grown from strength to strength every year.
Sports Sponsorships
Aquila Private Game Reserve continues to sponsor the local cricket and rugby teams as well as the soccer teams.