Thursday, August 05, 2004 Cathay Pacific takes studes on African wilderness trip
Cathay Pacific Airways took 42 students from Asia, New Zealand, and the Middle East to join 10 others in South Africa on the trip of a lifetime to learn more about the environment while on safari in Southern Africa.
The Cathay Pacific International Wilderness Experience Program (Iwep), now on its 10th year, brings together young people from all over the world to study the environment and learn more about world cultural diversity.
This year’s program took place at the Entabeni Nature Reserve in South Africa, a 10,000-hectare reserve that is home to elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, leopards and more than 80 other species of mammals and 380 species of birds.
The students were guided by a team of highly qualified educational officers and saw the environment close up during hikes, camping trips and wildlife observations. They also shared each other’s cultural heritage through group discussions, traditional songs, dances and theatrical wedding ceremonies.
Cathay Pacific general manager corporate communication Alan Wong said: “This year marks the 10th anniversary of our wilderness program. As Hong Kong’s airline, Cathay Pacific is committed not just to serving our own community but also to fulfilling our responsibilities towards the global environment. It is in this spirit that the airline supports and organizes events such as this to explore the unique Southern African wilderness.”
Cathay Pacific launched Iwep in 1994. Since then, more than 400 students have taken part in the program. This year, students have been selected from Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, New Zealand, Bangkok, Mumbai, Delhi, Manila, Cebu, Saigon, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Jakarta, Vietnam, Tokyo, Osaka, and South Africa.
For details, one may call Cathay Pacific Airways Cebu manager Anna Cheung at 234-3744 or passenger sales supervisor Connie Cimafranca at 234-3745.
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