#africanconservation

This February 2019 Rhimani will be supporting the charity ‘Save Pangolins’. Recently one of Rhimani’s university ambassadors, Caitlyn Earwaker, went on safari in Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa and wrote this lovely piece..

“After waiting patiently for half an hour, our amazing tracker Jacob found us the elusive Pangolin. It was such a pleasure and privilege to spend time with such a prehistoric looking creature, with its outstanding scales adding to its beauty. Pangolins have a beautifully soft temperament and when stressed or threatened it will curl into a ball to protect itself. This has sadly led to it becoming the most trafficked animal in the world, with poachers simply picking the animal up and taking it away for transport to use its scales for medicinal use. These animals can be sold for roughly $200,000 each - this creates a business which is catastrophic on Pangolin populations. A result of this has led to roughly 300 Pangolins being killed PER DAY. This saddening statistic reflects how reduced numbers are becoming and how little time we may have left with such a beautiful species. Although it is the most trafficked animal in the world, not many can even identify them. Therefore, spreading the awareness of how threatened this species are can be it’s only last chance of survival. After leaving the sighting we were told we may never see one again in our lifetime. We need to make change💔”

Love,

Caitlyn Earwaker x

15.53 Nairobi Local Time, having just spent 5 days on my first ever safari, I decided to call home.

 “Mum, shall I run the London Marathon?” *long pause* “Isabelle, you pulled up in the 200m on sports day because it was too tiring.”

I signed up that day! Despite my Mother’s undoubted faith in me, I sent an email to 'Save The Rhino International’ asking if I could run for the charity. My random, sudden appetite to run a 26.2 mile race came because of this safari experience.

During my placement year at Newcastle University I worked in Nairobi for 5 months. One weekend I booked a safari trip in the Mara on a very tight budget. I completely loved it. I learnt about African Conservation, about the different varieties of African game and how certain species of African animals are seriously in danger.

It was set in stone, my spot was confirmed with 'Save The Rhino’. Before I could think about the fact that I had to finish a 26.2 mile race, I had been set a target to raise £2000. A fact us physical elite marathon specimens know, charities set you high targets! In come the accessories. When I left Nairobi I came home with a load of wonders to sell in the UK (100% going towards my marathon fundraising). I decided to use the app Depop to sell these Kenyan creations. Within one month I sold everything and my worldwide ranking on Depop rose from 3000th to 154th.

I wanted to carry it on but I couldn’t get back out to Kenya as I was completing my final year at Uni. As an alternative, I attempted making the items myself. It was going well, however, my handcraft and beading wizardry is limited. I wanted to get my hands back on the beautiful and detailed earrings and headbands that I found in Nairobi. After some research, I was put in contact with the lovely Anne. We WhatsApp’d away, chit-chatting about designs and ideas. Eventually I placed an order with Anne and she posted it to the UK. Out of nowhere I had a mini business.

Today that UK/Kenya balance remains. The Glasses Cords and Necklaces etc. (the one line, simplistic styles) are handcrafted in the UK and the Earrings and Headbands etc. (the complicated, detailed, skilful, delicate, beading mastery items) are created in Kenya by Anne and her team.

I completed the London Marathon in 4hrs40mins. It was 24 degrees, I sweated, I cried and I finished with the best beer of my life. I raised a total of £2100 and 'Save The Rhino International’ reached a massive £130,000!”

That’s how it started, not it hasn’t stopped..

Find us on instagram and facebook - @rhimaniuk and #JOINTHEPACK