Last week I blogged about sharking at Grootbos, in Cape Town, South Africa. I also want to share with you a great program that the owners and staff of the lodge have created for the local townspeople. Grootbos selects two different groups of individuals and helps them learn a trade, becoming a little more self sufficient. The first group is individuals who want to learn about gardening and local landscaping skills, which are lacking on the fynbos. They are taught about the local flora and fauna growing in the region as well as other basic classes, like CPR. During the training, they are also taught how to drive a motor vehicle, and the program works with them as they obtain their driver’s licenses. The second group are young single mothers, taught a vast number of basic education classes, including CPR and courses on growing their own food from a small garden patch. They are also taught how to drive and get a driver’s license. If there is anything more emancipating for a woman than the ability to drive, I can’t think of it. It is nice to see a wonderful resort that is really making a difference in its community. — Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO