Lilongwe Wildlife Trust Empowers Youth in Environmental Conservation at Nature Camp
This initiative came to life during a two-day children's nature camp held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Environmental Education Centre in Lilongwe.
Lilongwe, Malawi - The Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT) has underscored the importance of involving children in environmental conservation as part of the country's efforts to combat climate change, writes Abraham Bisayi.
This initiative came to life during a two-day children's nature camp held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Environmental Education Centre in Lilongwe.
The primary goal of the camp was to impart knowledge to primary and secondary school students from Lilongwe regarding their roles in environmental conservation and its significance within ecosystems.
Clement Manjalera, Head of Environmental Education at LWT, expressed concern that the country had veered off course in preserving its culture due to technological advancements.
He emphasised that educating children about environmental conservation at a young age could pave the way for transformative change.
Manjalera further stressed the importance of providing a platform for children to showcase their perspectives and innovations concerning the environment while they are still young.
He stated, "If we can have several stakeholders running programmes that focus on imparting knowledge about environmental conservation to children, we can achieve significant savings as a country. These primary school children have several innovative ideas that are being implemented in their local schools, but they lack exposure."
Additionally, Manjalera disclosed that their organisation is planning to engage with the Ministry of Education to introduce a curriculum that incorporates environmental conservation content into primary schools nationwide.
Vitumbiko Kawamba, a student from Tsokamkanasi Primary School, commended LWT for organising the nature camp, stating that it had enhanced his understanding of the intricate relationship between the environment and ecosystems.
Kawamba highlighted the vital role played by nature, providing essential resources such as water, clean air, food, and raw materials for medicines, industry, and construction.
Ecosystems offer habitats for wildlife, yet many children have limited knowledge about these critical aspects.
Ruth Mtambo, a matron at Kauma Primary School, stressed that children play a crucial role in environmental conservation.
She called upon parents to take the initiative in educating their children by using various educational materials, visiting environmental education sites, and watching informative programmes broadcast by various media outlets, all focused on the importance of preserving the environment.
The nature camp included activities such as traditional dances, constructing bamboo huts used by warriors, painting, and birdwatching, providing children with a holistic environmental learning experience.