Visiting Nourish Eco Village
Summary
On a recent trip, I joined a group of girls to visit Nourish Eco Village, just outside the Kruger. I’d heard about the project through Kevin and his experiences, but nothing quite prepared me for the emotional impact of seeing the millions of small ways they were making huge differences. Especially for the children.
We started the day with a tour of the preschool and daycare. Here, parents—mostly women—can leave their children in safe hands while they go to work, often in the safari industry. It struck me how such a simple solution could provide so much opportunity: a mother being able to earn an income while knowing her child is cared begins the path to stability.
From there, we were shown the agricultural projects: waterwise farming and sustainable practices that not only feed the community but also teach valuable skills. It’s about resilience and ingenuity, about showing that even in tough conditions, there is potential and growth is possible.
But what touched me the most was the Ubuntu Girls Club.
They explained their vision in one powerful sentence: “We believe every girl has the right to develop confidence, have positive self-esteem, and feel safe in her village.”
The program creates a safe space where girls can talk openly about sexual health, menstruation, confidence, and even self-defense. For me, it was emotional. Access to pads, clean water, and a safe place to learn and play feels like a given fact of existence where I come from, and oh how privileged I am that I’d never seen the alternative. Here, it’s life-changing. Between deeply held cultural superstitions, poverty, and lack of medical education, the girls here battle every emotional, societal, and economic battle just to have basic feminine care. Let alone support for mental health, family planning, and recovery from traumas women from every corner of the globe experience. The Girls Club brought home for me that education and a safe place to find support are truly foundational to empowering women from every corner of the world and in every level of society to forge their own path. This was a place for girls growing into women to learn about their own body in a safe environment where they learn their own intrinsic value, develop self-respect, and learn how to set strong boundaries. In short, the Ubuntu Girls Club provides these girls with life skills every soon-to-be-woman needs to navigate life’s complexities as a woman in this wild world.
What hit the hardest was the thought “What if the Girls Club wasn’t here?”. I was happy to not have to see that world. In that moment, I was profoundly grateful as a woman, as someone lucky enough to be born in the United States to a loving family, and as a human being, that projects like this exist. Nourish is a small simple project with a small footprint and none of the recognition it deserves, but it’s a project with a meaningful impact that grows over time. It creates the possibility of generational change, the possibility for the next generations to have the privilege of education and safety because their future mothers had it at Ubuntu.
As Wild Werx, we are committed to supporting programs like this. Sometimes it’s by sending guests to Nourish, so they can see and learn for themselves. Sometimes it’s by something small such as buying handmade products from their shop and donating reusable pads with the purchase, as I did on this trip. Sometimes it’s by sponsoring their mission through donations, as Wild Werx will be doing in 2026. Big or small, it all matters. Because when we travel in a country as beautiful as South Africa, we can’t turn a blind eye to the reality of it’s people. Wild Werx is here, based locally out of Hoedspruit, and we support the local community that has welcomed us and our guests with open arms. It is our duty to give back to the custodians of South Africa’s wild wonders.
Our guide also took us through his hometown, where we met people who welcomed us with warmth and humor. We visited the house of a local sangoma (witch doctor), who spoke about his legacy, his role, and how he views modern medicine. It was fascinating and educational to hear his perspective which gave insight into the ancient traditions of the indigenous culture who’s roots could trace right back to the cradle of humanity.
And yes—we tried some local foods too: home-brewed honey beer (delicious actually), mopane worms (yes worms, like the bug), and pap (mostly a vehicle, like crackers are to oysters). Sharing these meals was a fun and lighthearted moment that pushed some boundaries but ultimately brought us closer together as a group. Far from awkward, it was deeply meaningful and a truly mind opening experience. The kindness and openness from the locals who were happy to share their culture with us, who really knew nothing of the world, was extraordinary.
For me, the day at Nourish was a reminder of why travel matters. It’s about connection, respect, and learning. It’s experiences like Nourish which I think most translate into Wisdom as I grow older. It’s about using our journeys not just to take in beautiful places, but also to support the cultures, people, and communities who call them home.