Disney's Cast Members Local Teachers and Students to Help South Africa School

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Sept. 23, 2009 -- With the fall semester in full swing at Central Florida schools, summer vacation may seem like a distant past. But for a group of Disney Cast Members, Orange County teachers, students and families, their trip to Africa will be remembered not only in their personal scrapbooks, but also in the hearts and minds of hundreds of South African students who benefited from their visit.

The local group designed beautiful murals and repainted classrooms and buildings at the Nkomo Primary School in KwaZulu Natal province. The effort is one of the recent projects supported by the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund which provided paints and supplies along with the curriculum for a new wildlife conservation program and hot meals for the students, many of whom are orphaned.

“We are pleased to be able to collaborate with the Nkomo Primary School, along with students and teachers from Palm Lake Elementary School to help enhance the teaching environment for the South African students,” said Dr. Mark Stetter, a veterinarian with Disney’s Animal Programs. Stetter and his family have visited the school on several occasions while traveling to southern Africa to help manage elephant populations in private wildlife reserves. “Wildlife and tourism is becoming increasingly important to the economy of southern Africa,” said Stetter. “By helping children understand the importance of protecting wildlife and the need for a better education, we hope to have a long-term impact on the need to preserve native habitat.”

During the 2008-2009 school year, Palm Lake Elementary families also raised money to provide educational materials, books, school uniforms and toys for their sister school. Additional money raised helps to provide funding for a water collection system to provide Nkomo students with fresh water.

As a result of the group’s hard work and elbow grease, the school was recently recognized by the South Africa National Board of Education as the most beautiful school in the province. Representatives from Walt Disney World Resort, Palm Lake Elementary School, Phinda Game Reserve and Nkomo Primary School all worked together to help the students, their community and the important habitat that surrounds them.