By Brighton Taruberekera
Shamwari YeMwanasikana has partnered with local and international development partners in a unique project that is set to educate 100 000 children about child and girl rights, sustainable development and the consequences of wildlife crime and climate change in their communities.
The program is a partnership between the World’s Children’s Prize Foundation and Peace Parks Foundation and locally it is being implemented by Shamwari YeMwanasikana, the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, and Chilojo Club, in cooperation with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The Peace and Changemaker Generation project is specifically targeting children in and around national parks in Gonarezhou and also those living adjacent to the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Although this region is rich in animal life and biodiversity it is continuously threatened by organized crime, poaching as well as drought and climate change. Poverty and child rights violations are also rampant in this area.
The project is aimed at addressing child rights violations, poverty and impart a new generation of children with the knowledge that can make a change for the better. The project will begin by training some 2 000 children as Peace and Changemaker Generation Ambassadors. 700 teachers and school leaders, as well as parents and local leaders, will also be educated. These Peace and Changemaker Generation Ambassadors will then educate all 100 000 children at 350 schools about child rights and sustainable development goals.
