Environmental Education Workshop
My Zambian community was heavily contributing to deforestation activities with charcoal and timber production, and ever-expanding agriculture. I used a $8,277 USAID grant to bring 38 schoolchildren and 21 community leaders into South Luangwa National Park to learn about the importance of environmental conservation, career planning, and how to avoid HIV or an unplanned pregnancy.
Despite living less than 100km from one of the best national parks in Africa, members of my community had never seen wild animals before our trip.
Professional guides taught us about the ecological roles of the native flora and fauna, stressing the need for environmentally-friendly agricultural practices.
Conducted in unison with the Zambian Ministry of Health, a few of my fellow volunteers from the health sector came to facilitate leadership, HIV, and teenage pregnancy sessions. These sessions primed the students to pursue their career goals, without the risk of being derailed by a disease or unplanned pregnancy.
We also visited local businesses associated with the park. Business leaders engaged with the students, sharing their life stories and advice. These interactions exposed the students to lucrative career opportunities in the environmental sector.
As with all of my Peace Corps projects, it wouldn't have been possible without the dream team. We were each responsible for planning different aspects of this program, and it all came together pretty well.