Charities We Sponsor
Sport Changes Life
Chaka Travel is the founding corporate partner of Sport Changes Life. Mark Marais is one of the founders of Sport Changes Life. Sport Changes Life helps young people who are disadvantaged and ” at risk” throughout Ireland by encouraging and inspiring them through the medium of sport. The charity has created an international “Victory Scholarship” program for primarily US student-athletes who spend time in Ireland doing their Masters and working on the charities programs and are ideal role models for the young people they work with. Visit sportchangeslife.com to donate and to find out more please read the following (PDF).
Tashinga Initiative Trust
Chaka Travel's founder, Mark, hails from Zimbabwe. Hence, the conservation and wildlife projects conducted by The Tashinga Initiative Trust hold a special place in our hearts. We lend our support to its anti-poaching and conservation initiatives operating in the Zambezi valley. These projects aim to establish a secure environment and ensure a sustainable future for Africa's extraordinary wildlife. Reflecting on a conversation with his younger daughter Emily, Mark said, "She expressed her fear of returning to Zimbabwe in later life, only to find all the wildlife gone. This only fuels my determination to help ensure that future generations get to enjoy the bush in the same way I have throughout my life."
Midlands Children Hope Centre
Mark is originally from Gweru in Zimbabwe and is involved with an orphanage in his hometown that assists distressed and destitute street children and other vulnerable children. This is an outstanding project with amazing work being done by wonderful people with really positive results for young people who deserve a better life!
Ulster Wildlife
The Ulster Wildlife Charity, creates and manages havens for local wildlife and people. They manage 18 nature reserves across Northern Ireland and protect rare and threatened species like the red squirrel, barn owl, basking shark and Irish Hare. They work at the heart of the community – with local people of all ages and backgrounds, supporting environmental action and teaching people about nature, as well as campaigning on behalf of local wildlife with the government.
Chaka Travel – proud sponsors of the Lords Taverners
Mark sits on the NI regional committee of Lords Taverners. Chaka Travel are proud sponsors of the Lords Taverners and have raised over £75,000 at various events over the years. This is a charity that gives disadvantaged and disabled youngsters a real sporting chance by providing opportunities for young people, able-bodied or with disabilities, to participate in sport & recreation. The Waterloo Ball is held in Belfast every two years and is the most prestigious Charity Gala Ball staged in Northern Ireland. Chaka Travel has donated the top prize in the draw in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012. We have also donated prizes for the London and Belfast Christmas Lunches. The Chaka Travel prizes have been kindly supported by Constance Hotel Group, Heritage Resorts Mauritius, Emirates, Air Mauritius and Mauritours and has raised £25,500 to date for the Lords Taverners.
Chaka Travel – proud sponsors of N.Ireland Cricket raise £4,500 for Youth Cricket
Chaka Travel are proud supporters of NI Civil Service CC, one of Northern Irelands leading cricket clubs. In association with Virgin Airlines and Belle Mare Plage Resort, Mauritius, Chaka Travel have donated a holiday to auction at the CSN Corporate dinner. This auction prize raised £4,500 towards funds to develop youth cricket.
