CITW Zambia organized field trips to Mosi Oa Tunya National Park between 30 November 2015 and 4th December 2015. The field trips to the park were part of CITW’s efforts to expose children to the natural heritage and provide conservation and environmental knowledge. A total of 5 schools in Livingstone participated on these field trips. The schools were Twabuka Primary, Simoonga Primary, Lupani Primary, Holy Cross Primary and Nalituwe Comprehensive Secondary School. A total number of 35 children per school and 3 mentors were part of the experience.
Nalituwe Comprehensive Secondary School
Nalituwe Comprehensive Secondary School is situated 300 meters away from the central business district of Livingstone with a total number of 55 Eco-Club members and 3 Eco-Mentors. This trip to the national park provided practical experience on various topics covered during the term such as insects, animal adaptation, recycle and re-use, living and non-living organism. The trip was an inspiration to some children who had never visited the park ‘The air is fresh and the environment nice, I will never cut trees at home” said Joshua,’ a grade 4 pupil.
Holy Cross Primary School
Holy Cross Primary School is situated in the heart of Livingstone with a total number of 45 Eco–Club members. A total of 35 Eco–Club members and 3 Eco–Mentors participated in the park visit. The members of the Eco-Club were rewarded by the school management for separating solid waste at school. The kids also learnt about water usage and animal adaptation. The park acted as a laboratory on all topics covered during the term sessions. ‘I have never seen the giraffe sitting, I can’t believe that it can sit down, I will tell dad not to kill animals,’ said Grace, a grade 6 girl.
Twabuka Primary School
Twabuka Primary School falls in Sinde Village, the village sponsored by Wilderness Safaris for community development activities and initiatives. The school receives guests from Toka Leya Camp and has more than 25 children on the CITW Scholarship Programme with one studying medicine doctorate at Copperbelt University. The School has a total number of 50 Eco-Club members and three Eco-Mentors. A total of 35 children and three Eco–Mentors, including the head teacher took part to the park visit. This visit meant a lot to these children and the community of Sinde. The children are a direct beneficiary to the importance of sound conservation and environmental management systems. The School was built through support from tourism operators in the area. ‘I am 56 years old but never saw the animals so close,’ – Regina Jere, Head Teacher Twabuka.’
Lupani School- Kasungu District
Lupani Primary School is another one of the schools CITW is supporting through Eco-Clubs lessons, supervision and monitoring. The school was built with support from African Wildlife Foundation and has a total number of 35 Eco-Club children and 3 teachers. The entire membership and its mentors had a wonderful tour of the park. Lupani School is another true testimony on the impact of sound tourism benefits received through sound conservation management. ‘From the time I attended children camp, I taught my father the impact of tree cutting for charcoal, we have planted three indigenous tress locally known as Muzauli in Lozi at the house, and they grow fast and can be used for heat and light.’ – Zenzo.
Simoonga Primary School
Simoonga Village boarders with Mosi Oa Tunya National Park. The School has water supply and electricity through Public- Private Sector Partnerships with various tourism operators including Wilderness Safaris. CITW implements Eco-Club activities at this school. The School has a total number of 50 Eco-Club members and 3 Eco-Mentors, all of whom visited the park as part of the practical experience of the lessons covered during the course of the term.
