At Children in the Wilderness (CITW), this important ‘World Day’ – observed every July 28 – speaks to the very heart of our mission statement – to empower Africa’s future conservation leaders.
As the dedicated youth empowerment arm of the Wilderness Trust, and the flagship Educate programme within Wilderness’ Impact strategy, our CITW programme has been proudly running for 25 years at partner schools across all eight of our areas of operation in Africa: Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania, and most recently Kenya.
We are delighted to share this most excellent, and inspiring, collection of specific World Conservation Day activities put together by our CITW Co-ordinators and their Eco-Club members across the continent whose schools are not on holiday.
Reflecting on the day, Zambezi Impact Administrator Courtney Pritchard’s words resonate profoundly with us: ‘Such creativity from schools and students who have so little, but put in so much effort to get the message out and celebrate the day.’
We can rest assured Africa’s conservation future is in good hands!
Zambezi (Zimbabwe & Zambia) ~ Report by Courtney Pritchard
A lot of the schools did presentations to the rest of the school, to local shops and in different community meeting spots. Others designed posters or wrote poems about the day.
Standout schools include Chidobe Primary, where the Eco-Club members designed and built recycled rubbish bins, and Mtshibini Primary, whose members made a model of their school using card and paper, showing all the trees around the school.
Namibia ~ Report by Veroo Kaura
Eco-Club learners in Namibia took a day to observe the importance of conservation in our environment by saving water, energy, and for cleaner air.
Their activities included painting posters, mounding soil for plants, and they had an activity on how to conserve water.
Tanzania ~ By Faraja Arusha
A child looked at a single footprint and imagined it holding the whole world. Inside it were forests, rivers, animals, and mountains. The child realised that every step we take leaves a mark on the Earth.
A careless step can pollute rivers, destroy forests and harm wildlife. But a thoughtful step can plant trees and keep our surroundings clean. The footprint reminds us that the future of our planet depends on the choices we make today.
Every drop of water counts
We celebrate the joy of coming together to care for and protect the world around us. Together, the children have shown that every small action makes a difference – from saving every drop of water to taking simple steps to clean our environment, we are also caring for ourselves because a healthy environment protects us all.
Kenya ~ Report by Sharon Muthoni
Children in the Wilderness Kenya reached 210 learners across seven partner schools through practical conservation activities focused on soil and water conservation.
Learners explored the importance of protecting natural resources through hands-on soil erosion demonstrations, created conservation posters, and shared simple messages encouraging responsible water use.
Benjamin Lekada, a Suguta Eco-Club member pledges to plant more trees prevent soil erosion…
Rwanda ~ Report by Aline Umutoni
Jean Damascene Nkuriragenda, Wilderness Rwanda Community & CITW Assistant organised an avocado tree planting activity, and despite schools being closed for the holidays, 85 Eco-Club students chose to spend the day giving back to the environment. The group included 50 students from Bisate Primary School and 35 CITW Scholarship students, united by their shared commitment to conservation.
