Damien Mander is a former Iraq War veteran that used the skills he developed in the Australian Special Forces to found the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF) that provides training to local communities in Zimbabwe, and beyond, on how to protect and conserve the native animal population of Africa from poaching. Hosts Chinny and Emmett of the Play it Forward Podcast presented by PeacePlayers explore with Damien the moments where he realized this passion to conserve and protect the environment turned to purpose. And in one of Play It Forward’s more inspiring conversations, we also hear how the IAPF stumbled onto one of Africa’s most successful and sustainable community development programs to date; oh, and it’s also led by some of Africa’s most vulnerable population, women that have experienced great trauma. This program, and these women, are known as the Akashinga. Today’s episode features strong language and depictions of violence against women and animals, viewer discretion advided.
To learn more about the work Damien is doing visit the links below:
International Anti-Poaching Foundation - https://www.iapf.org/
National Geographic short on Akashinga - https://youtu.be/WUYQS40I9mw
Twitter: @IAPF
Instagram: @int.anti.poaching.foundation
Facebook: @iapf.org
Facebook - Akashinga: @Akashinga
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The Play It Forward podcast is produced by:
Chinny Nwagbo
Emmett Shepard
Leif Frymire
The Play It Forward podcast audio engineering and editing
LeBaron Leath
Animation and music created and designed by
LeBaron Leath
Podcast Cover Art by:
Adam Hawkins
Marketing by:
Gabriella Mora
Sophie Kennedy
Bailee Rasmussen
