Born Free s Global Friends Programme Spring/Summer 2015

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1 Born Free s Global Friends Programme Spring/Summer P a g e

2 Contents What is Born Free s Global Friends Programme?... 3 Born Free s Global Friends Mission:... 3 Born Free s Global Friends Aims:... 4 Global Friends Ambassador:... 4 Global Friends schools/communities:... 5 Lenkisem School, Kenya... 6 Ol Moti Primary School, Kenya... 7 Ng'onzini Primary School, Kenya Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary Clubs, Malawi... 9 Môreson Primary School, South Africa Sandisulwazi High School, South Africa Khayakhulu Primary School, South Africa Hendrik Kanise Public School, South Africa Rathambalagama School, Sri Lanka Mwera Secondary School, Tanzania Koome Church of Uganda Primary School, Uganda Myende Primary School, Uganda Anga (POPOF) Primary School, Democratic Republic of Congo Dinsho Primary School, Ethiopia P a g e

3 What is Born Free s Global Friends Programme? You may ask why a wildlife charity is interested in supporting children and communities. Largely, because they are today s and tomorrow s farmers, politicians, entrepreneurs, conservationists and parents to name but a few. If we are to help effect lasting change for the good of wildlife and the communities sharing their habitat it is essential that we provide the means to do this. As an international wildlife charity, working to keep wildlife in the wild and end captive animal suffering, Born Free works in some remote regions in Africa and Asia. As a result of this, by taking a holistic approach to wildlife conservation and environmental protection, many of the wildlife projects supported by Born Free also aim to provide a benefit to the local school or community. Since 2003 Born Free has been working with local schools and communities in remote areas throughout Africa and more recently Sri Lanka. Through the Global Friends Programme Born Free s support currently benefits over 4,500 people as well as thousands more indirectly. The Global Friends Programme aims to promote and enhance environmental education within schools and communities facing significant environmental challenges. Many of these challenges also directly or indirectly impact wildlife such as lions, elephants, sea turtles and more. The Global Friends Programme supports the needs of schools or community groups through a small grants programme, be it funding for text books, tree nursery tools or helping them to raise awareness on a local environmental issue. By providing a more productive learning atmosphere environmental education can become a higher priority and both wildlife and the community will benefit. Last year, in Born Free s 30th year, we reviewed this programme to ensure that it provides the best opportunity for the schools and communities, while working to ensure the survival of some of the world s most iconic yet imperilled species. Born Free s Global Friends Mission: Global Friends creates positive opportunities for children and communities living in environmentally sensitive areas or areas supporting high biodiversity. By focusing on environmental education, protection of biodiversity and benefits to human communities; community empowerment and improved infrastructure, Global Friends encourages communities to find their own solutions to specific environmental challenges, such as human-wildlife conflict and deforestation. 3 P a g e

4 Born Free s Global Friends Aims: To establish school based environmental education (aligned where possible to the national curriculum) and a community approach to solving environmental challenges, in return for practical actions that benefit communities and wildlife. Objectives could include improved environmental education, improved facilities including buildings, livelihoods that are sustainable in the long-term, reduced deforestation, human-wildlife conflict and pressure on wildlife. Global Friends Ambassador: Katie Marshall, Classical Singer I am a 14 year old classical singer and as a young schoolgirl myself I hope to help raise awareness of the amazing work Global Friends does in providing educational opportunities for children, and helping their communities to find local solutions to problems that affect them - and the wildlife they share their lives with - so that they can all live happily together and keep wildlife in the wild". 4 P a g e

5 Global Friends schools/communities: 14 projects in 8 countries 5 P a g e

6 Lenkisem School, Kenya School: Secondary Boarding school Location: 25km from Amboseli National park Students: 233 Age range: Male: Female ratio: 3:1 Local Wildlife Project: Born Free Kenya (de-snaring, wildlife monitoring and human-wildlife conflict). Kenya is of historical significance to the Born Free Foundation. This is why Born Free Kenya was established. Born Free Kenya protects wild animals while working with communities and local partners to change attitudes and policies, to ensure a safe and thriving future for Kenya s magnificent wildlife. 1. Land degradation due to overstocking 2. Human-wildlife conflict 3. Water and sanitation 1. Formation of an Environmental club and installation of dustbins is helping to keep the school clean; 2. Repair of pit latrines, installation of hand washing points and a sanitation campaign helped to improve hygiene and reduced the chances of infections. Other partners/funders: Schools for Kenya, Born Free Kenya 6 P a g e

7 Ol Moti Primary School, Kenya School: Primary Boarding school (founded 1981) Location: Rift Valley province, Kajiado district (at the foot of it Mount Kilimanjaro), 7km from Amboseli National Park Students: 361 Age range: 3-17 Male: Female ratio: 3:2 Local Wildlife Project: Born Free Kenya (de-snaring, wildlife monitoring and human-wildlife conflict). Kenya is of historical significance to the Born Free Foundation. This is why Born Free Kenya was established. Born Free Kenya protects wild animals while working with communities and local partners to change attitudes and policies, to ensure a safe and thriving future for Kenya s magnificent wildlife. 1. Human-wildlife conflict (especially with elephants) 2. Land degradation 3. Water and sanitation diseases 1. Support for the environmental club & provision of dustbins helped to keep the school clean, club members creating awareness on the importance of keeping the school clean and encouraging the rest of the students to take care of trees; 2. Mosquito nets are helping to reduce malaria incidents and thus giving children a chance to concentrate in their studies. Other partners/funders: Schools for Kenya; TIK-TOK, Born Free Kenya 7 P a g e

8 Ng'onzini Primary School, Kenya School: Primary school Location: on the edge of the Mwalagangi Elephant Reserve in Kenya, 50km south west of Mombasa Students: 560 Age range: 4-18 Male: Female ratio: 1:1 Local Wildlife Project: Born Free Kenya (de-snaring, wildlife monitoring and human-wildlife conflict). Kenya is of historical significance to the Born Free Foundation. This is why Born Free Kenya was established. Born Free Kenya protects wild animals while working with communities and local partners to change attitudes and policies, to ensure a safe and thriving future for Kenya s magnificent wildlife. 1. Wildfire and drought leading to soil erosion; 2. Poor sanitation leading to parasitic infections; 3. Livestock entering the school compound and destroying trees and the garden 1. Library repairs were carried out to assist the students and wildlife club with their studies; 2. Energy saving stoves were repaired which reduced firewood consumption, reducing the conflict with wildlife for the scarce local resources; 3. Support for the environmental club, and their tree planting programme, has allowed them to create awareness among the students about tree planting and the importance of biodiversity. Other partners/funders: Kuoni, Born Free Kenya 8 P a g e

9 Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary Clubs, Malawi Community: Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary People and Wildlife (PAW) Club (community outreach through entrepreneurial support) Location: Lilongwe Wildlife Centre Members: Currently 15 members of the community are engaged in this project Male: Female ratio: 1:2 Local Wildlife Project: Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT) (supported by Born Free since 2007). The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre (LWC), run by the LWT, is an award winning wildlife rescue, conservation and education centre located right in the heart of Malawi's capital city, Lilongwe, in a beautiful 180 hectare wilderness reserve. 1. Poaching and unsustainable fire wood consumption 2. Deforestation and habitat destruction 3. Decline on food security and biodiversity function and health; 4. Unsustainable methods of harvesting bees 5. Poor waste management 1. Provided an entrepreneurial opportunity for the local community while also giving them with the knowledge to allow them to keep bees. In addition and most importantly this project improved their understanding of the importance of bees and other pollinators in the ecosystem, both for food security and for wider pollination. Other partners/funders: Lilongwe Wildlife Trust 9 P a g e

10 Môreson Primary School, South Africa School: Primary school Location: near the Shamwari Wildlife Reserve, Eastern Cape Province Students: 559 Age range: 5-9 Male: Female ratio: 1:1 Local Wildlife Project: Born Free South Africa (wildlife rescue and care). Born Free s two sanctuaries for rescued lions and leopards are set within Shamwari s award-winning wildlife reserve on the Eastern Cape of South Africa. There is also an education centre at each sanctuary where school-children and visitors are taught about the plight of captive wildlife and the need to conserve wildlife where it belongs in the wild. 1. Water availability, this area is particularly prone to water shortages 1. Last year the school was in dire need of a computer to assist the teachers in research and lesson planning. They now have this and are able to start teaching the students some basic computer skills. This will help their wider educational performance as well as their ability to learn about the environment and wildlife. Other partners/funders: Eco-Schools, Born Free South Africa 10 P a g e

11 Sandisulwazi High School, South Africa School: High school Location: near the Shamwari Wildlife Reserve, Eastern Cape Province Students: 320 Age range: Male: Female ratio: 1:1 Local Wildlife Project: Born Free South Africa (wildlife rescue and care). Born Free s two sanctuaries for rescued lions and leopards are set within Shamwari s award-winning wildlife reserve on the Eastern Cape of South Africa. There is also an education centre at each sanctuary where school-children and visitors are taught about the plight of captive wildlife and the need to conserve wildlife where it belongs in the wild. 1. Waste disposal/recycling including sanitation; 2. Water shortages/conservation; 3. Detrimental myths about certain species, e.g. Owls NB: All of these are amplified by poverty 1. All my students have desks now thanks to the provision of desks and chairs for the students 2. The school is much cleaner, because learners do not litter and the environment club is able to help raise awareness about the importance of proper waste management. Other partners/funders: Eco-Schools, Born Free South Africa 11 P a g e

12 Khayakhulu Primary School, South Africa School: Primary school Location: near the Shamwari Wildlife Reserve, Eastern Cape Province Students: 427 Age range: 9-17 Male: Female ratio: 1:1 Local Wildlife Project: Born Free South Africa (wildlife rescue and care). Born Free s two sanctuaries for rescued lions and leopards are set within Shamwari s award-winning wildlife reserve on the Eastern Cape of South Africa. There is also an education centre at each sanctuary where school-children and visitors are taught about the plight of captive wildlife and the need to conserve wildlife where it belongs in the wild. 1. Water shortage; 2. Waste disposal; 3. Livestock grazing in the school compound; 4. Rhino poaching; NB: All influenced by poverty 1. Provision of school laptop to assist the teachers in lesson preparation Other partners/funders: Eco-Schools, Born Free South Africa 12 P a g e

13 Hendrik Kanise Public School, South Africa School: Public Combined school Location: near the Shamwari Wildlife Reserve, Eastern Cape Province Students: 454 Age range: Male: Female ratio: 1:1 Local Wildlife Project: Born Free South Africa (wildlife rescue and care). Born Free s two sanctuaries for rescued lions and leopards are set within Shamwari s award-winning wildlife reserve on the Eastern Cape of South Africa. There is also an education centre at each sanctuary where school-children and visitors are taught about the plight of captive wildlife and the need to conserve wildlife where it belongs in the wild. 1. Water Conservation; 2. Waste management; 3. Biodiversity loss 1. More rainwater harvested and available for watering the garden and increasing the size of the school vegetable garden so that a bigger contribution can be made to the School Nutrition programme; 2. Training to apply herbicide empowered the wildlife club allowing them to effectively take part in and independent manage invasive species control. Invasive species have a negative impact on native biodiversity. Other partners/funders: Eco-Schools, Born Free South Africa 13 P a g e

14 Rathambalagama School, Sri Lanka School: Secondary school Location: Uva province bordering Udawalawe National Park Students: 226 Age range: 6-16 Male: Female ratio: 1:1 Local Wildlife Project: Born Free Sri Lanka (humanwildlife conflict). A relatively small country with high human populations densities and a very significant elephant population (estimated at around 4,000 or more), Sri Lanka has a good network of national parks and protected areas. However, many of the elephants spend a significant amount of time outside these zones, and conflict with rural communities is common. The Elephant Transit Home, situated in Udawalawe National Park in Southern Sri Lanka is a major focal point of Born Free s elephant conservation and welfare activity in Sri Lanka. 1. Drought; 2. Human-elephant conflict; 3. Agro-chemical pollution Global Friends did not fund Rathambalagama School in 2014/15 Other partners/funders: Born Free Sri Lanka 14 P a g e

15 Mwera Secondary School, Tanzania School: Secondary school Location: Situated in Mwera ward, Pangani District (the school caters for students from four villages) Students: 311 Age range: years Male: Female ratio: 1:1 Local Wildlife Project: Sea Sense (supported by Born Free since 2001). Sea Sense s work is carried out in close collaboration with coastal communities, helping to change attitudes towards sea turtle conservation. There has been a dramatic reduction in egg poaching as a result. Sea turtles have been under increasing pressure over the last century, resulting in three of the seven species being classified as critically endangered. 1. Deforestation, widespread vegetation clearance and bush fires during the farming season; 2. Illegal fishing practices that degrade critical marine habitats and threaten marine species; 3. Uncontrolled mangrove harvesting for building materials and for access to fishing bait; 4. Pollution caused by poor waste management; 5. Limited understanding of environmental conservation solutions amongst local people Mwera is a new Global Friends partner in 2015/16 Other partners/funders: Sea Sense 15 P a g e

16 Koome Church of Uganda Primary School, Uganda School: Primary school (founded 1924) Location: Koome Island, on Lake Victoria, Mukono District. Students: 303 Age range: 4-18 years Male: Female ratio: 1:1 Local Wildlife Project: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT) (supported by Born Free since 1998). Ngamba Island is a chimpanzee sanctuary, located on Lake Victoria in Uganda. The island is home to 47 chimpanzees, all of whom were rescued from the pet and wildlife trades. 1. Human Waste Management; 2. Deforestation and the resulting wildlife displacement (vervet monkeys); 3. Silting of Lake Victoria as a result of deforestation and poor agricultural practices; 4. Indiscriminate fishing methods 1. Water tanks have meant that the children no longer need to travel to the lake shore to collect water. Now that the tanks are at the school, they can easily collect it from the roof tops 2. The establishment of a fruit tree garden and a tree nursery has allowed the children to learn new skills and practice them, including caring for the fruit trees, mixing of soils, potting, preparing the site and daily maintenance of the tree nursery. Other partners/funders: CSWCT 16 P a g e

17 Myende Primary School, Uganda School: Primary school Location: Koome Island, on Lake Victoria, Mukono District. Students: 140 Age range: 3-16 years Male: Female ratio: 3:2 Local Wildlife Project: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT) (supported by Born Free since 1998). Ngamba Island is a chimpanzee sanctuary, located on Lake Victoria in Uganda. The island is home to 47 chimpanzees, all of whom were rescued. 1. Human Waste Management; 2. Deforestation; 3. Silting of Lake Victoria 4. Livestock roaming into and around the school compound, damaging plants 1. Setting up a bee keeping club at the school to teach the students about the importance of pollinators in the environment. 2. A great ape education kit was purchased to help CSWCT staff teach the children at Myende, and other local schools, about the different members of the great ape family and their importance. The materials, including replica gorilla skulls have been used during the World Wildlife day celebrations Other partners/funders: CSWCT 17 P a g e

18 Anga (POPOF) Primary School, Democratic Republic of Congo School: Primary school Location: Miti, Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Near Kahuzi Biega National Park Students: 342 Age range: 2-12 years Male: Female ratio: 3:2 Local Wildlife Project: Pole Pole Foundation (POPOF) (POPOF supported by Born Free since 2008) POPOF was set up by gorilla tourist guide, John Kahekwa, who recognised the pressure that was being placed on the Kahuzi Biega National Park s natural resources by the local community. The aim of the Foundation is to improve relations between the park and the community by offering employment and training to former poachers, as well as by providing development support to schools and small businesses. The Born Free Foundation has supported a variety of projects in Kahuzi Biega National Park since Poaching, 2. Human-wildlife conflict (specifically crop raiding by wildlife, including baboons), 3. Shortage of firewood and clean water Global Friends did not fund Anga Primary School in 2014/15 Other partners/funders: Pole Pole Foundation (POPOF) 18 P a g e

19 Dinsho Primary School, Ethiopia School: Primary school Location: Dinsho village near the Bale Mountains National Park Students: Age range: Male: Female ratio: Local Wildlife Project: Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP) There are only 500 Ethiopian wolves in the world, making them one of the world's rarest carnivores. Their last stronghold is high in Ethiopia s Bale Mountains, 3,000m above sea level. The Born Free Foundation has supported EWCP since Global Friends did not fund Dinsho Primary School in 2014/15 Other partners/funders: EWCP Pictures: Thank you to Martin Harvey, Born Free Kenya, LLWC, Born Free South Africa, Born Free Sri Lanka, Sea Sense, POPOF, Martin Harvey, Ian Redmond and CSWCT. 19 P a g e