Protecting Wildlife Through Education
In February this year, our educators Jean Paul M’monga Kiete and Faustin Mbuza visited two primary schools in Epulu to educate students on protected species found in the rainforests where they live, and how to identify them, and ways they can protect the rainforest for the benefit of animals and people.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to an incredible amount of biodiversity, including rare and endemic species including the okapi, forest elephant and 17 species of primates. Increased poaching and smuggling within the region still remains a threat to the wildlife of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, and it is important to continue to inform and educate community members of all ages on which animals are protected, and how to reduce or eliminate our impact on their rainforest home. It is particularly important to instill a respect and appreciation for the surrounding rainforest among children at a young age because they are the future protectors of the rainforest.
M’monga Kiete and Faustin visited two primary schools in Epulu - Yambuya Primary School and Okapi Primary School - to assist 5th and 6th graders with species identification, the animal species that are protected by law, and how to reduce our impact on the surrounding forest. During the presentations, discussions, and games, we provided posters of the protected species for each class including photos of the animals and their names in French, Swahili, Lingala, and Latin.
Also participating and assisting in these workshops were six education interns - five from Shalom University in Bunia and one from the University of Kisangani to learn informal education techniques in rural communities of DRC.
With the 105 students at the Okapi Primary School and 112 students at Yabuya, we played exciting games centered around identifying the animals and the different ways we can help protect them. The students were also urged to bring this information home to their parents. We will continue our efforts to educate the schoolchildren in the region to ensure they age with respect and appreciation for nature. We can only continue this work with your support. Help inspire the schoolchildren of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve by contributing today.
