Melody’s journey shows the power of passion

Sponsored by Wild Shots Outreach, she overcame obstacles to become an apprentice guide at Koru Camp. Her story showcases the power of passion and determination in pursuing a dream career in nature conservation. Like so many growing up in the local communities surrounding Kruger National Park, Melody had never seen the incredible nature on her doorstep with her own eyes. She did not know that a career in nature or conservation existed beyond spending years, and an unimaginable amount of money, studying to become a vet.

That is until she could attend a Wild Shots Outreach (WSO) workshop in 2019. The experience lit a passion for wildlife inside her. WSO founder, Mike Kendrick, recognised her determination and, after exploring potential career paths, the organisation sponsored Melody to get her driver’s licence and attend a nature guide training course in early 2023. For Melody, it was the start of a dream come true. Despite many challenges, not least her lack of experience in this new environment, she never gave up.

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After two months, Melody graduated as an apprentice guide and turned her mind to the next step in her dream, finding a guiding internship. Soon after she learned of a WSO workshop being held at Koru Camp. With the support of her former mentor, Mike, she asked Koru Camp if she could help guide the group and put her newly found knowledge into practice. Within a few days, her obvious passion had already won over the team, and she was offered a two-week internship at Koru Camp to continue learning her craft.

Those first two weeks soon grew into a full three-month internship as she became an integral part of the Koru team, helping out around camp and on safari. “Watching her enormous growth, both personal and professional, has been a true privilege,” said Corne Havenga of Koru Camp. “From just a girl in her local community to a budding photographer, qualified apprentice guide, and future trailblazer for young, black women in conservation, Melody’s transformation is the epitome of what strong collaborations and giving local communities access to nature can achieve,” she said.

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Melody said she has discovered that she is brave. “Being able to walk in the wilderness, was something I never thought I could do. I don’t come from a family[1]orientated background, so the team and nature here feel like home to me. “My message to anyone with a passion is, if you want something, put your mind to it. Then, anything is possible.”