The HESC focuses on the conservation of rare, vulnerable and endangered animal species.
Phoebee Roberts (10) and her sister Baylee (8) run their own NPO, called Raising Rhinos, to support the HESC’s endeavours.
The sisters’ vision is to start their own organisation.
Their charity efforts started in 2015, when Baylee donated all her birthday proceeds to the handlers and dogs at the Paws for People Therapy Dogs (East Rand).
Phoebee then dedicated her 10th birthday party to saving rhinos. She joined the 1 Million Footprints for Africa and raised a sum of R1 500, which was donated to the HESC.
Phoebee said they started Raising Rhinos because they wanted to do something more to help the animals every day instead of just on their birthdays.
“Our first fundraising event was held in January at the Bunny Park, where we sold cupcakes and biscuits, and we managed to raise R1 900 towards HESC. My sister and I made all the cupcake toppers ourselves and we promoted our stand with help from our family members,” Phoebee said.
According to Baylee, nerves from facing strangers, speaking about their cause and not having enough cookies to sell at the market are some of the challenges they have faced since they started.
The two primary school girls said they not only want to help save the rhinos from extinction but also African wild dogs and other “awesome” animals in Africa.
Phoebee said according to their research, over 4 500 rhinos have been poached in South Africa alone.
“The African wild dog is facing the same fate of extinction. The species is one of the world’s most endangered mammals, with a population of only around 6 600,” Phoebee said.
“The support we have been receiving from friends and family has been fantastic – without them we are nothing,” Phoebee added.
Phoebee aspires to be a wildlife vet, while Baylee wants to be a small-craft pilot.
