WildlifeDirect, an internationally recognized Kenyan-based organization focused on wildlife conservation has marked its two-year anniversary of the Nature Positive Kids Outreach Program.
The milestone was celebrated in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), in a special Team Sayari Watch Party at the Nairobi National Park.
The event held on 9th August showcased the successes of National Geographic’s Team Sayari series, which has empowered young conservationists across East Africa since its launch.
The watch party featured a screening of the “Wild in the City” episode, filmed within the iconic Nairobi National Park. This episode, like the series as a whole, aims to educate and inspire children aged 7 to 12 to become conservation leaders.
The Friday event brought together Team Sayari presenters, educators and conservation leaders who have been instrumental in the program’s success.
Speaking during the celebration, Paula Kahumbu, CEO of WildlifeDirect, expressed her pride in the program’s achievements.
“We are immensely proud of the impact Team Sayari has had on young people across East Africa. This watch party is a celebration of empowerment and dedication to protecting our planet.” She says.
Team Sayari and the Nature Positive Kids Outreach Program represent a powerful collaboration between The Walt Disney Company, WildlifeDirect, The U.S. Department of State and USAID, with the involvement of accredited partners like Prime BC, OAF and TPW.
This initiative is designed to inspire and catalyse behavioural change, promoting the conservation of species-rich landscapes and generating meaningful economic development opportunities for communities in East Africa.
Over the past two years, the program has reached over 12,000 children in 200 schools and four conservation hubs across Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
The series has inspired children to engage in conservation activities such as tree planting, plastic recycling, and waste management.
Mwanaidi Mwasina, a patron at Kwale School for the Mentally Challenged, noted the program’s positive influence.
“We have noticed a behavioral change in learners. Learners have become responsible. Among them, we have been able to identify leaders.” Mwasina says.
The program has also provided conservation education training to 232 teachers, equipping them with supplemental materials such as Fact Sheets, a Teacher’s Guide and access to the National Geographic Society Resource database to enhance learning and increase environmental awareness.
Additionally, 79 schools have received grants of USD 500 each to carry out various conservation projects, further extending the program’s impact.
To ensure the program reaches a broader audience, Team Sayari content has been translated into Kiswahili and Kinyarwanda. The program’s reach has also been amplified through the National Geographic Africa YouTube Channel, extending its impact on a global scale.
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