Over the past year, the education team has been extremely busy. It ran education and conservation programmes for 34 schools, 12 villages, 7 government agencies, and one oil palm company. The activities, which are part of our EC-funded programme, highlight the need to conserve the Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve for all stakeholders, including the younger generation.
- School visits around the Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve
© Orangutan Foundation
Each school visit was evaluated with a quiz for the students to gauge how much information was absorbed. With this knowledge, the aim for 2010 is to concentrate on selected schools to give more thorough attention and time for each conservation education programme. One component was about learning how to separate waste for composting (bins were given to selected schools).
One school (SMK N 1 Sukamara) was selected as a model to test out a new subject called ‘Ecological farming’ that puts emphasis on sustainable farming, using organic methods. Our community officer, Pak Roji, taught this subject for several months in this school upon approval from the local education district.
Encouraging student participation in environmental education © Orangutan Foundation.
Soon there will be a meeting with the teachers to obtain their feedback, and to evaluate the effectiveness of this newly introduced subject. The new syllabus will be planned together with the teachers according to their needs.
Thank you to our regular donors, Matthew K, Tal B and Brigitta S - your continued support is more vital than ever. As our field costs (e.g. for running guard posts & patrols, orangutan monitoring and rescues, support for sustainable livelihoods and educational activities etc...) increase we must maintain our commitment to these important programmes.
If you haven't already done so please consider making a donation to the Orangutan Foundation.
With many thanks,
Cathy (Orangutan Foundation)
