Help me make a difference in wildlife conservation!

Linnea Gronne Start Date: Mar 14, 2018 - End Date: Mar 13, 2019
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Volunteer Trip
  • South Africa
  • Mozambique
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

My Travel Story

by: Linnea Gronne Start Date: Mar 14, 2018 - End Date: Mar 13, 2019
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Volunteer Trip

Behind the scenes

For what feels like a lifetime, I have wanted to work with animals. As I grew, so did my knowledge on wildlife, I began to investigate different species, how global warming is affecting ecosystems, and the part that mankind plays in the destruction of wildlife. Once I opened up my eyes to all of this, I couldn’t ignore it. So instead, I chose to spend my energy on making whatever difference that I can in the pursuit of conserving wildlife. It isn’t uncommon to hear that people are against actions that result in the harming of animals, such as; poaching, trophy hunting, or wild animals taken from their homes and tormented into living a life in the business of tourism. However, it is common that people aren’t willing to change or actively take part in making a difference to prevent such activities from happening. Nonetheless, I believe that we can change people’s approach towards saving wildlife through education and publicity – sharing the right tools in helping people avoid unknowingly supporting industries that harm wildlife.

Who am I and why should you support me?

I’m 19 years old, currently finishing off my last year of the IB Diploma Program. Before continuing my education and journey in wildlife conservation, I have chosen to take a gap year where my main focus will be to increase my hands-on experience in the field that I have developed a great passion for. In doing so, I have decided to volunteer for a number of programs that a volunteer abroad organization, GoEco has to offer. Each of these programs include accommodation, food, insurance, and so forth, hence, each program also comes with a fee. Besides covering the costs of what is included in the program, the money also goes into supporting the specific organization, sanctuary, rehabilitation facility, or whatever the program specifically is. Henceforth by funding my travel your money goes to helping the animals in various ways. Even though I have saved up for this moment over the past years, the programs are quite expensive, therefore I’m here asking for your help. Any donation, big or small is a helping hand in giving me a chance to make the difference that I am eager to make. A huge thank you in advance for any donations that may be submitted. 

  • South Africa
  • Mozambique
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Updates

1

  • Update!

    I’m currently backpacking around Bali, 1 month into my trip and words can’t explain how much this trip has taught me and motivated me even more into devoting my life to doing my part in conservation. I recently got my advanced divers license, which has resulted in a bit of change in heart with regards to my plans in conservation. I’ve found myself unsure in terms of whether I want to work with marine conservation or wildlife conservation, for the time being I would really like to get my Dive master certificate in Asia (either in Bali or Thailand) and then work for a while at a dive centre (either on Gili islands or Phi Phi island) where I would be diving every day, working, getting to know the area and simultaneously working with conservation on the side lines, either on my own or freelancing, as part of building onto my experience and hands on knowledge of both marine life and the different dive sites in the specific area.
    Before my trip to Bali I was convinced that I wanted to specialize in elephants or at least work on land, however, this trip has been such an eye opener to things that already were in my mind, that just needed a nudge to be prevailed. I’ve always loved the ocean and been fascinated by the thought of how little mankind actually knows about the ocean.
    I’m going to South Africa in a little less than 2 weeks, as a part of a family holiday, and hopefully the trip will help set things into perspective and clarify some logistics. I still want to work with conservation in South Africa and at some point, however for the time being, I think the ocean is where I need to be … Being able to dive every day while digging deeper into marine life for both personal knowledge and conservation purposes, could help me immensely when trying to find marine conservation work in the future.
    I still have a lot of time left of my gap year, so I’m hoping to work as a dive master during this year and expand my knowledge before I start university.

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