Out in the wilderness

Wilderness Foundation Chief Andrew Muir has won a £66,800 conservation award from Swiss watchmaker Rolex for a scheme that helps Aids orphans find jobs in eco-tourism...

Muir was one of 10 winners from around the world in the annual award scheme, which recognises exceptional enterprise in various fields, from conservation to science or medicine.

He received the award at a ceremony in Dubai last month.

Formerly based in Durban, Muir is now in the Eastern Cape, where he helped to set up the Umzi Wethu Training Academy for Displaced Youth.

The prize money will be used to expand the academy, which trains Aids orphans to find jobs, mainly in the eco-tourism industry.

Students are selected using various criteria, including their participation during wilderness trails in several parts of the country, such as the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve.

During the year-long programme at the academy, the orphans are exposed to what Muir refers to as the "tremendous healing power of nature".

The programme aims to help the young people come to terms with their situation in life, inspire hope and equip them with leadership skills.

Other winners included a Paraguayan woman who promotes the use of plant and plastic waste to build houses; an American who is helping to reduce air pollution from two-stroke motorbike engines in the Philippines; and a British physicist who has developed new methods to predict volcano eruptions.

Source: www.iol.co.za