As a Botswana NGO, Children in the Wilderness (CITW) plays an important role in raising awareness for environmental issues and promoting sustainable development. In 2021, CITW and the FNBB Foundation collaborated to work with Parakarungu Primary School to develop an environmental education, life- and leadership skills programme for the children and teachers.
The CITW Botswana team visited the school towards the end of 2021 to discuss projects and activities they can implement, with poultry production being at the top of their wish list for the school. An abandoned house on the school grounds had previously been used as a poultry enclosure, and it was felt this would be a good choice for the project since it would not need as much time, labour and other resources as building a new structure. Both teams agreed to refurbish the house for a broiler enclosure.
CITW believes that this project will benefit the schoolchildren academically as it is among the topics covered in the school curriculum (Agriculture), where pupils learn about feeding and caring for chickens. Poultry farming is also an opportunity to raise awareness on nutrition and healthy eating among the pupils. In addition, it will aid in the development of the children’s entrepreneurial skills, and involve them in the practice of implementing sustainable, optimised methods.
On the 18th of February 2022, the CITW Botswana team travelled back to Parakarungu Primary School to refurbish the poultry house. The team, with the help of a builder and school management, bought all the material to refurbish the house, and thanks to the commitment of both teams, completed the refurbishment by the 23rd of February.
Next, the Environmental Education Co-ordinator for Parakarungu, with the help of our office, will order 150 broiler chicks from the Pandamatenga Farms in order to establish the production.
Heartfelt thanks go to FNBB for facilitating this collaboration with CITW and Parakarungu Primary School. Thanks also go to the school’s management and Regional Education Department.
Report by Gaba Modirapula, CITW Botswana Administrator
