JOHANNESBURG – It took just ten months for rhino poaching to reach an alarming 899 rhino killed by October 2014.

If poachers continue like this, rhino will disappear from our planet within our lifetime.  These cold facts touched the hearts of Grade 4 learners, Jaimé Rademeyer and Alexa Ferreira who wanted to help save the rhino before it is too late.  One R8000 cheque later, raised entirely on their own for Rhino SA – the girls have proved that persistence pays!

Two school girls and an artist

What started out as a school talk at Reddam House from Rhino SA, soon became a personal pilgrimage in initiative, entrepreneurship and leaping hurdles.  Ten year-old Jaimé hatched a plan to ask her friend, artist Clair Attewell if she would create a special piece for them to raffle at school in order to raise funds.  Clair’s work focuses primarily on the growing rhino crisis in Africa and she has always been passionate about the conservation and preservation of African wildlife that fall victim to foreign markets and illegal trade.  During the third term break, Clair produced a magnificent piece, but the girls were not allowed to raffle the artwork, following provisions contained in the National Gambling Act and Lotteries Act.

Plan B

They moved to plan B – asking their parents to send an e-mail to all their friends in a bid for the painting.  Donations rather than bids started coming in and within two weeks Jaimé had raised R4000 and Alexa found a buyer for an equal amount.  “The girls’ dogged determination to see this through was admirable, they just didn’t give up,” said Jaimé’s mother.

Young Jaimé who enjoys swimming, drama and dancing when not fundraising said, “When I grow up I want to be a politician.  I helped the rhino because it inspired me to make a difference in the world.  If nobody helps them, then our children will never see a real rhino.”

Her friend Alexa “loves rhino because they are beautiful animals”.  The girl who enjoys art, swimming, music and playing with her friends fears that, “In five years there will be no rhino left!  We must save them so that our future children can also enjoy them.  So save the rhino!”

Thanks to the generous donations and big hearts of friends, colleagues and the Bedfordview community – the two friends have started early in experiencing the true spirit of giving.

Rhino SA contact details to book a Rhino presentation at schools or corporates is: info@rhinosa.co.za / 078 643 6430.