Dreamcatcher is not only an international organization, but also very involved in community work in the small village of Melkhoutfontein outside Stilbaai.
Founding roots in Stilbaai
The founding roots of The Dreamcatcher Foundation go back over two decades to Stilbaai in South-Africa. Founder Anthea Rossouw is still involved to ensure sustainability, which is not only to channel tourists into township communities across the country, including Melkhoutfontein but to empower the local entrepreneurs to develop a sound environmental ethic where they run their Home stays and Cook-up with Kamamma tourist services.
Rossouw has a long history with Stilbaai, living in the coastal town for many years before making a move to Europe. Her late husband, Hennie was a much loved dentist and also mayor of the town.
Rossouw is very involved in tourism locally as well as in Europe including the Netherlands and the United Kingdom and has conceptualised various tourist routes in South Africa which includes community based experiences.
Rossouw quoted to South-Cape FORUM in an online interview that they are honoured with Bloemen joining the Dreamcatcher team. According to Rossouw the growth in demand from international tourists has been excellent the past few years with booking for 2012 already up 18% this year.
"We are proud to say that we are indeed contributing to the local economy. Karin's involvement will no doubt ensure we move faster to achieve our mission and dreams to sustain strong, professional tourism smme's in our Dreamcatcher communities situated along all major tourist routes in South Africa. Development in itself is laudable: but it is the feet through the door and into the communities which count. We have come a long way."
Karin is a much loved, top entertainment, cabaret- and filmstar and amongst other Disney and Harry Potter voice over artist from The Netherlands. Bloemen, who has visited South Africa is according to Rossouw particularly impressed by the outcomes based development programmes of Dreamcatcher in townships like Melkhoutfontein.
Dreamcatcher has put community based and lifestyle experiences on an equal footing with nature based tourism, which has changed the face of the tourism offering of South Africa. Rossouw's tourism development model has caught the attention of various international university business faculties and has seen many tourists from across the globe visit township communities in South Africa, including Melkhoutfontein.
Currently a volunteer from New Zealand, Imogen Hayley is spending time in Melkhoutfontein, working with local children and staying in one of the local home stays in the village. According to Rossouw these initiatives have steadfastly continued to generate much needed revenue locally.
Dreamcatcher has caught Bloemen's eye because the organization don't only talk, but actually walk the talk to end poverty, to empower local women to take the lead where they live. Rossouw stresses that the local tourist smme's should not develop themselves in isolation, but make a difference and engage others in the need in their community.
Bloemen will work closely with Dreamcather in the Netherlands, but will also be involved in South Africa.
Left to right: Sonja van Proosdij (radio presenter and travel journalist: Netherlands), Anthea Rossouw, (Dreamcatcher) and Karin Bloemen.
