Conservation Education in Schools
Junior and Senior Conservation clubs
Chipembele has 5 Community Conservation Educators who live and work in our 5 geographic zones: Nsefu, Kakumbi, Mfuwe Central, Jumbe and Mnkhanya. They run 4 x 2-hour conservation education sessions a week during term time in schools in their respective zones in a total of 39 Conservation Clubs in 29 local schools. They teach on a wide diversity of topics concerning wildlife, the natural environment and conservation issues.
Conservation education for school children in our programmes is not however limited to the classroom and our club members have the opportunity to participate in several additional programmes that are discussed below.
Field Trips Into The National Park
School children from the conservation clubs have the life-changing opportunity to participate in field trips into the National Park. Many of the children living in the rural settlements around South Luangwa National Park have never been into the Park, or experienced seeing many of the species found in the area. Having the opportunity to see and learn about the wildlife in its natural environment helps to develop a passion to conserve and the drive to protect it.
Nature Nights programme
Participation in our inspirational Nature Nights programme involves students camping in tents for two nights within the Lupande Game Management Area. They participate in activities such as team building, leadership, communication, problem solving and critical thinking. The programme helps them to develop conservation and life skills, all the while being exposed to wildlife and nature. We hold 4 per year, timed to fit within the local school breaks, with 12 of the most active students from our Conservation Clubs participating in each session.
Field Ecology club
The Zambian Carnivore Programme partners with our Conservation Education team to run a Field Ecology Club for students in local secondary schools. The main aim is to equip our students with hands-on experience of scientific research techniques.
Computer classes
The Computer Literacy Programme is designed to teach students the basics of how to use a computer and associated software applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as typing skills. Sessions are held for approximately 10 students at a time, who must be active participants in their school Conservation Club to qualify for a place. Students take a series of 10 classes, each of 2 hours, and are awarded certificates if they attend all classes and pass.
Kalata for Kids Magazine
Each quarter we work with PAKO for Kids, a wildlife children’s magazine in Namibia, to produce and distribute a wildlife magazine for Zambian children called Kalata for Kids. We aim to produce 2000 copies of each edition and then distribute them free to the members of our school Conservation Clubs.
Other programmes and activities offered to our Conservation Club members include:
- Regular field excursions into the National Park for research or game viewing
- An annual student-led environmental campaign in the community
- Tree planting schemes
- An annual Student Conservation Awards event
- Student of the Year awards
- Sponsorship to secondary school
- Conservation Scholarships for a small number of starred pupils, encouraging and steering them into tertiary education in sciences or wildlife related fields
- Access to the Chipembele Student Library
- The Habitat Club for younger primary school students
- A Gender Equality programme for students
- A Botanic Garden planted with mature, indigenous trees
- Mentorship and support from our Student Support Officer and Education Team
