Kids in Mt Cameroon Area Gain Species Conservation, Climate Change Lessons Via Folktales

Some 60 kids from communities within the Mount Cameroon Area are gaining traditional knowledge on species conservation and climate change through folktales in campfire at a 2-month experiential learning taking place at the Limbe Botanical Garden, South West Region of Cameroon.

This learning exercise, which started on September 12, 2020 is phase two of the 2020 annual EcoKids Programme organised by Meg Wah (My Earth) in partnership with Voice of Nature (VoNat) to boost the appetite of children and youths in species conservation, and climate change.

After going through a selection processes which they distinguished themselves through drawing, painting, songs, poetry, drama, and debate, these kids converge every Saturday on the Botanical Garden in a typical traditional setting dubbed the jungle village. Here, they seat around the three-stone fire site eating fresh corn and plump while listening to age-old tales about biodiversity species and the changes in the climatic conditions from old folks. This is interspersed with comedy, dancing, debates, poetry, drama and singing amongst others.

After going through a number of sessions, one of the kids from Buea, Fai Ella Pauline, thinks it’s time to take action. “It’s time for us to act. Some of our parents are destroying these species because they think they will soon leave the stage. We need to protect them for ourselves and our children. It has been very long that I went to my village; I actually felt like I was in my village as we sat beside the fire site in in the Botanical Garden listening to stories about animals and trees. I think our brothers and sisters who are not here are missing a lot” She testified.

Another kid, Amaboh Precious Bih, is particularly thrilled with the setting of the programme.  “It’s my first time being to this garden and feeling nature; I really love everything here. Today technology has overshadowed our closeness with nature and I think we need to stand up and ensure that these species are conserved without which I am not sure in the future, we can see anything as natural as this,” she stated.

One of the resource persons, Mr. Shufai* Shey Banjamin, who is the Chief Executive Officer of People Earthwise, is particularly thrilled with the approach of Meg Wah and Voice of Nature. “It’s a great approach because it highlights a key aspect of our culture which was story telling. Introducing the kids into folktales that are linked to the environment helps to raise environmental consciousness in children and engage them in biodiversity conservation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the children are expected in the next couple of sessions left to also do bird watching as well as visit some sites in Limbe that have witnessed the impact of climate change. This phase of the project is expected to wrap up by the end of October 2020.