About the African Impact Project

Why African Impact?

African Impact is a responsible (ethical) volunteer company that raises funds for the African Impact Foundation – a UK and African registered charity that work to enrich people’s lives through implementing improved health and nutrition infrastructures, building opportunities for better education, researching conservation issues, creating safe places for children to play and helping to generate sustainable sources of income for families.

I am planning to join Africa Impact for four weeks as a wildlife photographer working on an established conservation project in Kruger National Park, South Africa. My work will help the project in several ways: the images taken will contribute to the African Impact Image Database, a photographic database that uses technology to help track and monitor the wellbeing of the wildlife within the park. Images may also be used to raise funds and publicise the conservation work undertaken by projects run by the charity African Impact Foundation. Importantly, the project has an educational purpose, helping reduce the potential for human-wildlife conflict. The importance of this aspect of the project can not be understated, and represents a common strategic imperative for many wildlife conservation projects globally (for more information related to this please see this WWF report). Crucially, as copyright holder of the images, I will also be able to use the images for good causes on my return to the UK.


Projected Costs

Whilst I will be working as a volunteer, the project is not without costs and it is to help meet these that I am seeking support. The volunteer programme represents the majority of the cost, and the fees are used to help cover the costs of my stay, the expenses incurred during my work, and most crucially, the employment of people from within the local community in the management and running of the conservation project; ensuring the project impacts meaningfully on the community in addition to the wildlife. A breakdown of the project costs:

The volunteer programme: £2295
Administration (estimated): £100
Flights (estimated): £800
Additional sustenance (estimated): £500
Travel Insurance: £250
Total: £3945

I have therefore set a target of £4000 to cover the costs of the project. Should I have to cancel the project for any reason (e.g. not meeting the funding target) I will donate the funds raised to an alternative charity (minus any project costs already incurred). Should the funds exceed the target then the additional funds will be used to assist the purchase of a used Canon 100mm f2.8 L macro lens for the trip (estimated at £500), beyond this any additional funds will be used towards the printing costs of images from the trips (the prints to be sold for charity).


Fundraising Plans

I started fundraising in earnest early in 2019 with a massive 5mile sponsored swim (including an extra 24 lengths for good measure thanks to Mrs Keen’s counting ;-) ). This was followed by a limited edition calendar for 2020 which raised another £1000. A massive THANK YOU to all that were kind enough to sponsor me in both of this ventures. Through your kind donations I have raised so far £2145.

Over the next few months I have several other fund-raising ideas planned. These include:

1. Tear a strip off Adam (A Keen Waxing)!

Ok, I admit it I have hairy legs. Indeed, I like my hairy legs. I like them being hairy. So perhaps it was a mistake to giggle at my wife when she told me of the agony she experiences whenever she has her legs waxed. Yes, on reflection that’s partly what got me into this mess. So what’s the deal? I have, under great duress, agreed to have my lovely hairy legs waxed (just my legs!) on the proviso that this campaign reaches its £200 target. Furthermore, I will allow pictures of this event to be taken, and perhaps a little video to publicly show how waxing is nothing to whine about (yeah, in my dreams - the video is likely to show me begging for the pain to stop).

There are 2 ways you can help with this event:

• You could choose to sponsor this mad-cap event. Any amount, no matter how small would be welcomed. Donations can be made via this gofuundme page , or in cash to either Shirley Bowers at Riverside campus or Charlotte Carr at Warrington campus. Note: GoFundMe is financed by tips provided by those making donations (you will be asked for a tip when you donate). You don’t have to add a tip, and if you do it doesn’t need to be much. However, websites such as these that help folk make a difference to so many good causes can only exist if they make the money they need to survive.

• For the bargain price of £10 you can have the dubious honour of inflicting me pain by the application and removal of one strip of leg wax. My plan is to have one leg waxed at the Warrington campus and the other at Riverside. I have 40 strips available, although I’m not sure how many strips will be needed per leg. First come, first served. The provisional dates are: 24th Feb at Warrington and 25th Feb at Riverside (12:30 on both days) Please note: the waxing will only be possible on these dates – so if you want to ‘Tear a strip’ of me, please ensure you can attend at the time and date specified. Please email me if interested at a.keen@chester.ac.uk
  

2. Purchase a picture from the site.

Whilst all the pictures featured on the website are available to purchase(quotations on request), I have set up several galleries where the limited edition pictures can be purchased directly through the site. These include the images from this years calendar, a big cat gallery (ideal for cat lovers), and a special "one off" print gallery. All profits from the purchase of images on the site will directly contribute to funds for this project. So why not treat yourself or someone you know to a new artwork for your wall in the knowledge that you are also contributing to a good cause? After all it's time to start thinking about Christmas gifts. Prints purchased will be issued with a limited edition certificate of authenticity.

3. Pre-order a picture from the project

Taking inspiration from kick-starter projects I want to offer the chance for you to pre-purchase an image from those taken during the project. The images will likely be available to view from October 2020, and in the unlikely event that none of the images prove suitable you can of course choose any other image from my portfolio instead. Please note that due to the nature of the trip and the unpredictability of wildlife photography (you only get the opportunities that nature provides) I can not take specific requests. To see the options for pre-ordering an image please see here.

4. Other fundraisers planed...

In the coming months I hope to offer several other ways in which you can help me raise the funds needed. These will include:

• Tailored 1-day photography workshops (maximum of 2 people per workshop).
• A picture auction.