- program foster conservation among children
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ministry of child welfare and basic education on the 2nd of March, Wild Entrust organisation officially launched their Coaching Conservation program with Chobe District schools this month.
Coaching Conservation program which was established by Wild Entrust in Botswana back in 2004 is characterized by sports based, play focused and experimental learning to foster wildlife empathy in children.
The conservational program was initiated with a mandate of raising awareness on human- wildlife conflicts amongst children who live within the wild territorials and educating them about respecting and conserving nature as well as biodiversity from grassroots levels.
Teaching children about animal behaviors is deemed crucial as it could help them overcome any threats posed by wild animals on their lives. It also helps mold them into responsible adults who are able to co- exist peacefully with the wild.
Since its inception into primary schools curriculums in North West region two decades ago, the program has been fully operational.
The Country Program Facilitator, Patience Isaacs highlighted “Coaching Conservation is currently operational in a total of 82 schools, all North West District primary, satellite schools including 5 private schools being; Delta Waters, Leapotswe, Matshwane, Pioneer Academy and More Minds Academy International Schools.
Isaacs noted the program is in place also in Gweta, Gasebalwe, Tsokotshaa and Zoroga primary schools. She said with Chobe District, the program is to begin with 2 primary schools namely; Mabele and Kavimba Primary Schools, adding they will later on include other 9 schools in the region.
Though established by the mother company, Wild Entrust, the program at Chobe will be managed and operated by Wild Link, with funding support from the African Bush Camps Foundation.
Isaacs stated “Coaching Conservation targets and engages primary school students in discussions about wildlife, the environment, and responsible community stewardship”.
She further told this publication that “through interactive sessions, the program aims to help children understand the value of natural resources and the role they can play in protecting them as well as the biodiversity”.
Patience Isaacs highlighted it is crucial for communities live in close proximity to wildlife to be equipped and facilitated about conservational education.
The program launch brought together local leadership and conservation partners, including Kgosi, Chobe District Commissioner Tshepo Mophuting, Dr Nyambe Nyambe of the KAZA Secretariat, Assistant Director of Regional Operations Porati, Dr Jess Isden, Director of Wild Link, representatives of school heads and teachers across the district and Wild Entrust Director Lesley MucNutt.
Officials from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and African Bush Camps Foundation also graced the event.
