Zimbabwe Seven

Category: Kusanganisa Educational Program | Date: Jan 24 2008 | By: admin

What is the ultimate aim of the Tikki Hywood Trust?

The Tikki Hywood Trust aims to conserve Southern Africa’s lesser-known species by utilizing education and conservation as stepping-stones towards a future where humans live in harmony with wildlife.

We have come to realise in this growing economic hardship that few children in rural areas actually get to complete high school. If children do not attain the necesary survival skills for rural life at a primary school level, then their future is shadowed indeed. We currently operate our Kusanganisa (a Shona word, meaning “come together”) program within 3 schools in Zimbabwe and each are situated near a release site for the animals the Trust works with. In time we hope that this can expand and include all areas of Zimbabwe. What is the Kusanganisa Conservation Club?

PHASE 1 – CHIDZIRO ‘Laying the foundations’ Grade 1 – Grade 3

Before we can ask children to save the earth, first we must teach them to love it. The Tikki Hywood Trust will harness children’s innate sense of wonder and encourage them to explore the earth’s natural beauty whilst facilitating experiences that allow children to connect with African wildlife. Objectives:

• Identify and recognize different African animals

• Competently group animals into basic groups. e.g. bird, insect etc.

• Explore local environments and develop skills that will enable children to identify the presence of wildlife. eg. Scats etc.

• Describe unique attributes of different animals via observations eg. Patterns etc.

PHASE 2 – KUDZWA ‘Developing an understanding of our natural world’ Grade 4 – Grade 6

Children must develop an understanding of our interconnected environment before they can live in balance with the natural world.

Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of our interconnected relationships within our environment

• Develop a greater appreciation for the animals that live within our environment

• Develop an understanding of different social structures within the animal world Investigate a variety of adaptations that enable animals to survive

• Investigate the importance of habitat and the consequences of habitat loss.

• Investigate the importance of earth’s natural resources eg. Water

• Explore potential threats to wildlife and the consequences of extinction

PHASE 3 - KURANGARIRA ‘Providing students with the skills needed to live sustainably’
Grade 7

Through the participation of sustainable practices student develop knowledge, skills and behaviours that have the potential to benefit local communities and allow children to make informed life-style choices.

Objectives:

• Consolidate prior understandings of animal requirements

• Develop respect for animal needs and value

• Develop skills that enable students to embark on sustainable practices.

Within phase 3 of the program there are livestock rearing projects to teach the children sustainable farming practices on a small scale. These projects include developing medicinal gardens, raising rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens as well as small scale market gardening projects.