Pumba

Pumba is a wildlife game reserve that is about a half an hour drive outside of Grahamstown.  It's home to what is known as the Big 5 in South Africa: the Lion, the African Elephant, the Cape Buffalo, the Leopard, and the Rhinoceros.  In South Africa game reserves are set aside for conservation purposes and they also afford people an opportunity to see some of Africa’s wildlife up close and personal.  However, private game reserves can be quite expensive, and unfortunately most South Africans are unable to enjoy the wildlife and beauty these reserves have to offer because of the high cost.  As part of a social outreach effort, Pumba game reserve hosted the Holy Cross School free of charge on a game drive in order for the students to see and experience the wildlife they only hear about and see in pictures.  Below are some photos of our class adventure.  

Mr. Lion

Holy Cross students posing in front of the Land Rover

The Rangers at the reserve like to call this big guy "Bumps"

The African Elephant

Giraffes

Masixole enjoying the drive

Having Fun

On top of being a wonderful place for children to learn and grow, the Holy Cross School is also a place where kids can be themselves and have fun.  Often I find it’s the songs, the laughs, and all the silly times we’ve had at the school that help me to realize why it is I chose to come back for another year.  Below is a video clip of some of the Holy Cross Students over the last few weeks.