Page 71 - Holidays with Kids - Volume 62 (January 2020)

Young achievers

Twelve-year-old schoolboy Hunter Mitchell’s efforts to protect wildlife
have seen him awarded the Steve Irwin Visionary Wildlife Warrior
Award, an International Young Eco-Hero Award and, most recently, the
Commonwealth Points of Light Award from Her Majesty the Queen.
Here, Hunter talks about the role kids can play in conservation.

What inspired you to start fundraising for rhino conservation?
On New Year’s Eve 2015 I heard on the news that a baby rhino had
been found alone in the middle of the night at a game reserve just two
hours north of Cape Town, where I live. He was only hours old, but
I knew that I had to help him by raising money to look after him.

How did you kick off your campaign? I donated money I received for such a big passion for our African wildlife, and we had so much to talk
Christmas from my grandparents but knew that was not going to be about and so many ideas to share. The award was so surreal but I felt
enough, so I asked family and friends in South Africa and overseas to like I accepted it on behalf of everyone fighting for our rhinos.
help me. I started a social media page with the help of my Mum and
began to be a voice for the little rhino. My goal was to raise just $100, What do you have planned next? I am going to keep growing and
but after two weeks I managed to raise more than 10 times my goal. inspiring an army of wildlife warriors to stand up and speak. I have
The following week I presented the amazing care team with the money invitations to speak in India in January and (fingers crossed) Australia in
and was so honoured to meet the baby rhino. We named him Osita, a March 2020. And I have my biggest project about to launch in South
Nigerian word that means “from this day forward things will be better”. Africa – my very own rhino socks – with the money raised going to
help rescue, raise and rehabilitate rhinos.
You’ve spread the word on conservation to more than 10,000 kids.
How important is education? Education and awareness can make What do you say to other kids who think they’re too young to make a
small changes that have big consequences. Through my journey with difference? If you feel passionate about something, don’t be afraid to
Osita I learnt so much about the devastating poaching crisis facing our act. We have only been given one planet – one planet to love, share
precious rhinos. My generation has not caused the poaching crisis, and protect. We will achieve more for our futures if we are all making
pollution, poverty or climate change but we have been born into it a small difference instead of expecting just a few people to make a
– and there just might not be enough time to wait until we are the ones massive difference.
to make the big decisions to ensure our future.
How and where can our readers go to contribute to the cause?
How did you feel to be presented the Commonwealth Points of You can find me on social media on my Instagram and Facebook
Light Award by Prince Harry and Meghan on their recent tour of pages, or reach out to me on my email to find out ways that you can
South Africa? I was so nervous before I met the Duke and Duchess help me to help the rhino.
of Sussex, but they were so kind and supportive. Prince Harry also has @raisethebabyrhino hunter@raisethebabyrhino.com
@holidayswithkids holidayswithkids.com.au 69