Local talks about rhino NGO’s worldwide impact
“We want to grow so that we can continue assisting and putting it out there that poaching must stop.”
Non-profit organisation Blankets for Baby Rhinos commemorated World Rhino Day on September 22 when it created a life-sized rhino.
The stuffed rhino was created with assistance from people from across the world and stitched together by animal lover Nita Smith.
Nita said the project took a year to complete and started with volunteers from the NPO crocheting grey squares.
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“Last November, over a thousand squares were sent to South Africa from across the world and most of them were used to create the stuffed rhino.”
Volunteers who helped were from the United Kingdom, SA, the United States of America, New Zealand and Australia.
Once the squares were sent, work on the project started.
Nita said the stuffed rhino will be used to create awareness and educate people about rhino poaching, will be taken to events and used as the NPO’s mascot.
Nita hopes that in the future, the rhino will be placed in one of the rhino orphanages edu centres.
She explained that she joined Blankets for Baby Rhinos as a volunteer in 2016, the same year it was founded by Elisa Best and Sue Brown.
Since it was founded, the organisation has grown to over 3 500 members and Nita has become one of its coordinators.
Nita said she and Elisa are assisted by Julia Nicolson, Valerie Means and Carol Lakin, who help run the NPO.
“We are just a group of people who are passionate about making a difference.
“Over the years the organisation became a huge family,” said Nita.
Some of the ways the NPO frequently assists include:
• Creating blankets for orphaned baby rhinos.
• Making blankets, scarves, beanies and gloves for members of SA National Parks and independent anti-poaching units.
• Purchasing and donating rhino milk for orphaned rhinos.
• Purchasing and donating dog food for the dogs used by anti-poaching units.
Nita said besides assisting rhinos, the NPO assists other animal centres in SA, Africa and across the world.
On the NPO’s website, 40 various beneficiaries are listed.
Some of the other work the NPO does includes providing medical supplies to Rare and Endangered Species Trust in Namibia, assisting Solidearth Meerkat Rehab and Rescue Centre by paying veterinary bills and constructing enclosures, and making blankets for primates at Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Eden.
Nita said she is looking forward to the group growing and expanding.
“We want to grow so that we can continue assisting and putting it out there that poaching must stop.”
To join or learn more about the NPO, visit www.blanketsforbabyrhinos.org or its Facebook page.
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