18 Dec 2024

Children in the Wilderness (CITW) programme, continues to attract more partners to contribute towards sustainable conservation of natural resources.

Implemented by Wilderness Safari Company, the programme focuses on the next generation of decision makers, facilitates sustainable conservation through leadership development of children and aims to bridge the divide between communities and wildlife.

The programme offers life skills training, leadership development and environmental education to children as well as building their skills sets and preparing them for careers in conservation and related fields.

CITW has established Eco Clubs in 10 schools in Ngamiland and one in Gaborone. In 2021, through the programme, FNBB Foundation entered into a three-year partnership with Parakarangu Primary School in Chobe District to sensitise learners on sustainable environmental conservation.

This year, Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited (BIHL) Trust came on board to collaborate with the Wilderness Safari in October to provide pupils of Tshwaragano Primary School in Gaborone with an opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge needed to protect the environment.

In an interview, programme coordinator and stakeholder manager, Mr Moalosi Lebekwe noted the programme’s impact as well as  the coming on board of more partners, citing BIHL Trust which recently entered into a partnership with the programme.

FNBB Foundation, he said played a key role in assisting them expand the programme to Parakarungu school and appealed to more companies to come on board and invest in the protection of the country’s flora and fauna for the benefit of the next generation.

He said the programme drilled children on the importance of environmental conservation and protection of natural heritage, adding that the programme had an annual camp where children active in environmental education at their respective schools were treated to a safari experience in some of the Wilderness Safari camps in the Okavango Delta.

“Today we are in Vumbra camp where children are taught life skills and exposed to wildlife and environmental conservation in an engaging way to create positive long-term perceptions towards wildlife and wild spaces,” said Mr Lebekwe.

Other activities undertaken included conservation talks, discussions, quiz, game drives and interaction sessions among others and about 80 learners attended the camp.

BIHL Trust executive, Ms Gofhamodimo Sechele said they invested over P200 000 towards the programme. 

The programme, she said, impacted learners positively as it recognised children as the future custodian of the natural resources hence they were motivated to invest unto it.

“We are happy to be part of this programme and this can be achieved through teacher training in conservation, Eco Clubs and annual camps and today we are proud to have brought in 10 pupils from Gaborone to the Okavango Delta, specifically Vumbra Camp to ensure that they learn through their clubs, cemented through practical experience,” she added.

Ms Sechele further said the programme would instil deep respect and understanding of the environment conservation. 

She said BIHL would evaluate the results at the end of their term and see if they could extend their support to other schools so that they benefit from CITW.

One of the teachers from Tshwaragano school, Ms Zarauka Bleskit said the programme motivated pupils to develop interest in environmental education, adding such helped to improve their academic performance. 

She further noted that the programme also kept learners busy with activities that helped to build their self-confidence. ENDS