Michelle Nature Conservation

Bicycle Road

2010-08-04T05:11:00.001-07:00

Making and preparing roads for a bicycle race in the bush veld is a big task. We were divided into 3 groups, of about 5 or 6 people in each group. This helps to get the task done faster and to cover various places at a time.

We were given one week to complete this task. Teamwork and patience was the most important so that everything went according to plan and on time!

Tools that we used!
# GPS
# Pangas
# Shovels
# Saws
# Rakes
# Tractor and slasher

There were 2 different tracks to choose from, the one was 20 km and the other one was 40 km.
Most of the roads already existed, we cleared and leveled those roads only. Some changes needed to be done, so we decided on some new roads that we laid out by using a GPS.

We started 8:30 in the mornings, getting all the equipment ready, in working order and loading it. We arranged for lunch at 12:30-13:30. We finished at 16:00, packed up and went back to clean and stored the equipment.

The tractor and slasher cleared the bush where it could reach. We went on foot and removed the branches that was in the way, and filled the holes in the road by using the equipment provided.
We worked good together in our teams and got the job done on time!

2010-06-20T22:52:00.000-07:00

Fire Prevention Preparation!

We started our new course, Game Ranger, and the first project that we did was to prepare the veld around the chalets and private houses to prevent fires to reach it and also fire breaks to get it under control and stop it.

It takes a lot of planning, which the second year students had to prepare. They gave us a briefing on what was expected and had to be done, what tools we were going to have to work with, most importantly the time that we had to get it all done.

The had a variety of tools that we took along; brush cutters and petrol, axes, saws, forks, rakes and pangas. We received gloves and we took the first aid kit with for in case someone got hurt. We also took a lot of water with to drink.

Each morning, the two weeks we were working in the veld, we all worked together getting all the tools ready, making sure everything is there and working correctly. Each of us had a turn to make a list of all the tools that we took and the amount of each one, this is important because it helps prevent it from getting lost and saving money. We then headed out to the veld and started working.

The first few days was a bit confusing, mostly because no one knew exactly what was needed to be done but we eventually got the hang of it. Tractors with slashers made pathways and we had to take out small trees and bushes and needed to clean all around the big trees, removing branches that was hanging low to the ground.

It was hard work and very cold some mornings which made it difficult to work but we pulled thru and thinking back it was fun working with everyone, although there was some tension sometimes, we supported each other and it made working easier and more fun.

2010-05-21T00:04:00.000-07:00

Game Drives!

Game Drives is loads of fun! I like being in the veld and seeing all the animals in their natural habitat and behavior. When taking people out on a game drive you show them the animals you come across and tell them interesting facts or stories. You show them trees, grass and all the interesting objects and things you see. On each game drive you experience something different and are always learning new things.

It is nice when telling a client something you know and they are so amaized by the informatoin. It's a really good feeling when you see that they are enjoying the outing and appriciates nature!

2010-04-15T01:27:00.000-07:00

Debrief and report writing

# Topic

# Break down in components

# Analyse every component

-Identify component

-Strong points

-Challenges

-What did I learn?

-How can we make this better?

1. Theoretical training

2. Roster

3. Welcoming

4. Wildlife centre

5. Conservation

6. Guiding

7. Student on duty

8. After hour activities

9. Academy duty

10. Social

Theoretical training

Strong points

I learned a lot of interesting and important facts and got a lot of information about animals, trees, grasses ect.

Challenges

I need to learn more interesting facts or stories about everything spend more time on interpreting information to people or clients. Need to learn the scientific names.

What did I learn?

I learned a lot of basic but important facts. What to look for when identifying an animal or tree ect. Lear how to talk to people and how to give information through to them on a way each one could understand. Learned how to be a good guide, to put the clients’ interest first and to always be aware of your surroundings.

How can we make this better?

By doing more practical on everything to get more comfortable with it and also it is more fun and I learn much easier that way. To also get more time to do theory because it is a lot of information to process.

Roster

Strong points

Know how a roster works, can stick with the plan.

Challenges

Learn how to work with different people you get divided in to work with. It is not always easy but it can be a strong point when overcome.

How can we make this better?

By changing it so that everyone can work with different people more.

What did I learn?

To stick by a roster and to always make sure beforehand where I must work and that it is also good to have a roster with you to inform others as well if needed.

Welcoming

Strong points

Like to welcome the people and talk to them, show them the way and to tell them about the activities.

Challenges

Also to learn how to work better with my co-workers.

What did I learn?

How to comfortable with strange people, how to talk with them and handle each of them.

How can we make this better?

By arranging shifts, it is long hour especially if you worked the whole day or still has theoretical work to do.

Wildlife centre

Strong points

I now about all the animals and witch food and how many they should get also how to handle and behave around them. I enjoy it a lot to work there.

Challenges

To work and learn more about them.

What did I learn?

I learned a lot about the animals at the wildlife centre. Witch food and how many they must get and also why they get different types of food. How to behave around the animals and also how to treat them or comfort them.

How can we make this better?

By learning how to take care of animals or how to rehabilitate them also I would like to learn the process of setting them back into the wild if possible.

Conservation

Strong points

I enjoy it to do conservation, do not mind hard or physical work.

Challenges

Learn how to notice things in the veldt, what to do in which situations.

What did I learn?

That it is hard work

How can we make this better?

By treating everyone equally, girls also needs to know how to do conservation and some want to. It is also part of our course.

Guiding

Strong points

I know a lot of facts to tell the clients and is also able to talk comfortable with them.

Challenges

Learn more interesting facts and stories to tell the people, for instance like traditional uses ect. Do more practical.

What did I learn?

I learned how to work with clients, to do guiding in the veldt as well on game drives. How to interpret information to all clients, young or adults. I learned to always be aware of all the things in nature and the most important to protect nature, not to harm or disturb it.

How can we make this better?

To improve my guiding I need to go on more game drives or walks and also need to do more research.

Student on duty

Strong points

Helpful to others, will help out if it is needed.

Challenges

Be on time and informed of what is going on and where everyone is working and also be more informed of all activities that is taking place.

What did I learn?

That it is important to know what is going on and to be informed of all activities, and to update often. It is important to make sure that everyone is happy in their workplace, if not to sort it out immediately.

How can we make this better?

By having meetings each morning with all the students that is working just to discuss what is happening that day and to make sure everyone knows where they must be and to do.

After hour activities

Strong points

I enjoy talking to the people, can have nice conversations with them.

Challenges

Learning more about the history of Sondela. A lot of people ask question that I am not able to answer and would also like to know.

What did I learned?

To be able to communicate with people on a more social basis.

How can we make this better?

Work in shifts throughout the weekend because of the long hours and then you have to work the next day as well.

Academy duty

Have not done this yet.

Social

Strong points

Can communicate well with other people or fellow students.

Challenges

Try to see or think about someone else’s point of view when it is different of mine and then how to handle it.

What did I learn?

To be a better listener and to take other peoples points of view in consideration and that the best way to solve everything is through good communication.

How can we make this better?

To have more sessions where we can discuss problems or even discuss all the good and fun things we have done or things we succeeded in.

2010-04-06T06:32:00.000-07:00

Wildlife Centre!

I worked at the Wildlife Centre for the weekend and it was very interesting and fun! Me and PG worked together, it was nice working with him and with the other people at the wildlife centre.

I learned how to prepare food for all the animals. Some of the animals eats meat that we had to cut up and we had to prepare milkbottels for all the babies, witch they get three times a day. I really enjoyed preparing the food and feeding the animals and it seemed they enjoyed it a lot as well. We also cleaned the cages every morning.

I learned how to work with different animals, learning new things about them and how to handle and act when you are around them. It was very interesting to notice that each animal has it's own personality from a young age, the way they act around each other or when you are with them. Some of them are really playful, some likes a lot of attention, other are very protective and some even get's jealous!

I learned and enjoyed it a lot and now have some nice and fun memories!

2010-03-02T22:29:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Veld Fire Fighting

Today we had a crash course in veld fire fighting. We learned about veld fires, the dangers involved and the procedures to follow when there is a veld fire.

We learned about all the equipment that is used to fight fires, how it works, how to use it and when to use it.

When a fire occurs it is important to always observe the surroundings and to make sure of all the objects that can have an influence in making the fire worse or changing its coarse. The first thing to do is to let other people know about the fire so that they can be aware of it, get help and to get everything ready and in place to go to fight the fire.

You always have to make sure that the protection kit you are wearing will be able to protect you against the fire and the smoke. It is very important to always back the persons who you are with, fighting a fire, when they need help or are in danger.

When fighting a veld fire it is very important to always be aware of where to the fire is spredding and to be aware of the surroundings. You always have to make sure that you bring all the equipment back after fighting a fire and that all the people that went with, comes back again.

2010-03-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

Saturday + Sunday 27-28 February 2010

Working at the Cocktail Bar!

This weekend I worked at the Cocktail Bar at Sondela. We worked from 08:00 the morning until 16:30 the afternoon.

We learned how to prepare cocktails, how the system on the computer works. They also taught us how to do the cash-up, count stock, and how to order stock for the cocktail bar.

We learned that it is important to always keep your workplace tidy, be friendly and helpful to all customers and guests.

I really enjoyed working there, it was very interesting and a nice environment to work in.

2010-02-26T00:31:00.000-08:00

Tuesday + Wednesday 23-24 February 2010

First Aid course Level 1!

We had a course for First Aid Level 1. We had two instructors who tought us the basic rules and steps to follow when applying first aid, when nessasary.

It was fun and interesting learning new and important facts. The instructors tought us the basic and very important steps to follow when arriving at a scene where an accident took place. It is very important to always be sure of your own and the injured persons safety. We learned how to handle the bystanders and how to approach the injured people, get more professional help and what to do until help arrives.

We learned all about the human body, the blood flow, bone structures and organs. We learned how to apply CPR, how to address injuries, wounds and illnesses.

They tought us how to apply first aid to different problems or sceneries that might occur when an accident happened. We now know the important and necessary questions that must be asked in order to analize the scene and apply the correct first aid methods in order to help an ill or injured person to make a difference in recovery.

We received a book with important guidelines for First Aid Level 1, how to apply it, and also a lot of interesting and important facts about the human body that we discussed and had to go and study.

We all wrote a test and had to phisically apply CPR on a dummy, that is designed for this kind of training, and apply all the skills that we learned during this course.

Everyone enjoyed the cource and found it very interesting and helpfull and everyone who attended the course was found content.

2010-02-25T22:11:00.000-08:00

Monday 22 February 2010

Learning about a budget!

We discussed everything concerning a budget. What it is about, how it works, why it is good to have a budget and to try to go along with it. I learned that if you can follow a worked out budget for each month, that you can have control over your finances and know where you stand.

I learned the importance of a worked out budget of any company. To be able to make and be a successs, a company has to follow a worked out budget, it also helps the company work and run properly.

I noticed and understand that it is not always possible for every person to work out a budget or to be able to live according to one. It depends on circumstances and also on how commited a person will be.

A Budget is guidelines to learning you how to manage your money in a correct way.