Boy, 8, Raises Money and Awareness for SA Nature Reserve

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, an eight-year-old boy from Durban, South Africa, is doing his utmost to support a local nature reserve that is close to his heart.

Romario Valentine has raised a substantial amount of money for Umgeni River Bird Park, a 3.5-hectare reserve that has home to over 800 birds from 200 species – some of which are endangered.

Upon hearing that his favourite reserve was struggling financially in the midst of the pandemic-induced lockdown, Valentine – saddened at being unable to celebrate his ninth birthday there on Sunday, 26 July – took action.

He told a media outlet: “I asked my mother to help me raise money for the [reserve’s “Inspire to Conserve” conservation programme] instead of getting birthday presents. I do not want [the birds] to become extinct.”

On 6 July, Valentine launched a campaign on the crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, which has since raised R12 213.76.

The youngster says he hopes his efforts in helping the reserve will inspire other children “to look after nature for our future.”

Image Credit: Source