Our hearts have always been with the animals.
Since our childhoods in Africa, we have loved the natural world and the great abundance of wild creatures within it. Long before we formed our Foundation in 2008, we helped all sorts of animal charities wherever and whenever we could. Without fanfare and without outside money, whenever we saw an opportunity to support wildlife and habitat, we did so.
Because we were building multiple businesses as well as our family over those decades, when we donated our time and money, we did it as efficiently and effectively as possible. That meant seeking out groups that were already doing the best work; vetting them to ascertain the money was going to its intended purpose; and supporting those that used legions of volunteers to increase their effective reach.
Often this meant supporting trusted churches with proven records of success in preserving wildlife, habitat, and the people who live among them – for we do not overlook humans in need. Several of the 300-plus employees in our many businesses belonged to churches that were active in sending volunteers overseas to remote areas to create housing, water purification systems, clinics, and orphanages. By supporting them, we could leverage our own donations of time and money, multiplying it among many of our own dedicated employees, all doing the best work.
As we enter the latter third of our lives,
…we are focusing on wildlife, and especially fighting the abhorrent crime of poaching. With Leili retired, and Shiraz semi-retired, we can concentrate our abundant energy and drive on helping wild animals survive, thrive, and increase in number.
Currently, we are aiding multiple elephant sanctuaries and orphanages, to combat poachers who kill mother elephants for their tusks alone, leaving babies to die. We recently purchased and delivered a new 8-seat Ranger vehicle, presenting it to Kenya Wildlife Services for anti-poaching use. We have more vehicles and trucks scheduled for the near future.
Remembering the thousands upon thousands of animals that filled the forests and darkened the plains of Africa in our childhoods, we are choosing to spend the final chapter of our lives supporting wildlife. Many of you will recognize the proverb “We will speak for those that cannot speak for themselves.”
