Read this report, written by Gaba Modirapula (CITW Botswana, Programme Assistant), on one of two Annual CITW Camps in Botswana.
Every year, certain Wilderness Safaris camps in Botswana close for a few days in order to host children on a three-day conservation experience, aimed to educate, inspire and create leaders who will hopefully go on to become the custodians our country’s wildlife . This year, Children in the Wilderness decided to host children in two camps running at the same time. Six schools were hosted at Seba Camp and two schools were hosted at Jacana Camp.
Seba camp hosted 37 Campers, 6 teachers, 7 mentors, 2 guests from the American embassy and UNICEF delegated 1 representative from Bana baletsatsi.
CITW Botswana was privileged to host the campers with one of the American Embassy representatives Mrs. Phatsimo Kwenane. Mrs. Kwenane, as the Regional Environment Science and Technology Specialist for Southern Africa, also shared her experience in conservation with the children to help CITW to achieve our goal in terms of exposing children and adults to nature and conservation. We also had a representative from Bana ba Letsatsi delegated by UNICEF, Bonolo Kangongo (counsellor) who did a marvelous presentation about children’s rights.
We also had Wilderness Safaris agents based in Germany, visiting our campers. We had chance to sit with Karin Fröhlich, to talk to her all about CITW. One of the campers from Shashe Primary volunteered to do a presentation to her about their Eco-Clubs. She had a chance to attend their school project presentations about the causes of climate change and its effects in Botswana. As Eco-Club members, they mentioned that it is their responsibility to teach and share with their parents and peers how to avoid the causes since they are the custodians of our world.
The main objectives of the camp were to encourage children to live in harmony with wildlife. We also focused on the importance of eco-system, as well as team building and leadership activities. The programme included:
- Delta talk: children do not have knowledge about their beautiful surroundings
- Mammals, food chain, food web: to improve children’s science knowledge
- Bird adaptations; flight stations – each station focuses on one type of bird where the children learn about its special flight characteristics and have to complete a challenge related to that bird; different bird’s feet, favourite birds: so that children are able to have knowledge about birds since birds and animals attract tourists in our country.
- Game drives: Most of children in Botswana do not know different species we have in the country. CITW offers them game drives so that guides can teach and show them different animal, bird and tree species in Botswana, and talk about their importance.
- 4Rs: Children are taught about reusing, reducing and recycling.
- Sports: children had time to play football and traditional games: CITW realised that most of the children at home and schools do not have the opportunity to learn different games which can help them stay out of bad behaviours as they will be fully occupied by playing different games, teaching them about the importance of team work and supporting each other.
- Culture: teaching and demonstrating about the way we live to in our country.
Children and teachers were very happy to be hosted at Seba Camp and at the end, children were given certificates, T-shirts, and washable sanitary Pads (Girls) as a way of appreciating their commitment in the programme.
CITW would like to thank those who took part or donated to the programme in these annual camps for their commitment to change our children’s live and to help them to become brighter custodians of our country in conservation. We hope our children will share their experience with others.
