Eco-club Lessons at Malawi Conservation Project

26 Mar 2015 |

I have also been lucky enough to cross the river and participate in the Nanthomba eco-club project, led by teacher Orsi Bedo. Nanthomba is an amazing school and has provided an opportunity for me to help teach local children about conservation and the environment. Over the last two years, the eco-club has been growing different species of seedlings in a tree nursery, and planting them throughout the school and community grounds. Every time I head across the river with Orsi, we meet with a group of the most eager students and get our hands dirty, weeding and mulching the trees of different ages. This initiative is fantastic and aims to help communities that rely on maize crops, by improving soil conditions and water runoff in the rainy season.

For eco-club lessons we have made posters and given talks on topics that are relevant to life in rural Malawi, or to inform them about animals and processes that are around Liwonde National Park. One lesson involved making compost heaps at the school to try and encourage families to use natural fertilizers on their maize fields.

This week, I spoke to the kids about vultures and hyenas, the scavengers, and why they are important to the environment. This has been such a rewarding experience because the children are eager to learn and there is so much that we can teach them.

eco-club, liwonde national park, malawiGetting to know the importance of soil, and identifying the creatures that live within it.

teaching the local community, malawi

Orsi showing the children how to make a compost heap using materials from around the school.

Making posters for our eco-club lesson, Liwonde National Park, Malawi

Making posters for our eco-club lesson on the Big 5. The posters are used as teaching aids during lessons, and then as colourful additions to the classroom walls.

Post and photos: Cazz Kimber (Malawi Volunteer)

Wildlife ACT has partnered with African Parks – a world-renowned conservation organization, in an exciting project where we assist with their Black Rhino Monitoring and Conservation Programme in Liwonde National Park. We offer this unique opportunity to one individual who will work one-on-one with a black rhino researcher. The work is intensive and involves long, grueling days with lots of responsibilities and duties but it’ll be an experience you’ll never forget. You’ll get stuck into the heart of black rhino research and help protect them from the threats of poaching. Learn more about our Malawi Conservation Project