Posted by Peter in Africa,Endangered Species,Featured,Gorilla,Travel,What You Can Do,community-based conservation
Looking for a new experience working with children at the base of a volcano where half the world’s Mountain Gorillas remain? If so, you can volunteer with Art of Conservation in Rwanda.
Art of Conservation, Inc. educates Rwandans about conservation and the importance of maintaining a healthy environment for both people and animals while instilling in them an understanding and respect for themselves, their peers, and the natural world. The Houston Zoo is a proud supporter of the Art of Conservation program in Rwanda
Art of Conservation (AoC) is seeking a dedicated, experienced administrative support intern to work directly with AoC Director Julie Ghrist. Interns must commit at least six weeks to the position. After six weeks, the intern position may be extended at the discretion of the Director. For a description of the position and application – link here
Rushubi Primary School 5th grade class
AoC also occasionally accepts volunteers (link here for application) for short- to medium-term volunteer placements. Their needs vary depending on the staffing situation and class schedule. In general, they seek honest, hard-working individuals who can offer support in one or more of the following areas:
- Teaching the English-language portion of our conservation education curriculum. We are particularly interested in volunteer teachers who have a background in conservation, biology, agriculture, medicine, or public health.
- Teaching the English-language portion of our art curriculum. We are particularly interested in volunteer teachers who have a background in drawing, painting, music, or drama.
- Administrative work including memo writing and grant research.
- English-language training for non-English speaking staff.
- Computer skills training for staff.
Ready for an experience of a lifetime? Well, here is one where you can both learn and give at the same time.
I wonder if Art of Conservation will let me volunteer with them this week...maybe I will just eat some bamboo instead
Posted by Peter in Africa,Endangered Species,Gorilla
I just returned from a short visit to Musanze, Rwanda and the Art of Conservation program. While there, we taught in both the Rushubi Primary School and Nyange Primary Schools 5th grade classes.
Arts and Crafts projhect are part of the teaching experience in the Rushubi Primary School class. Photo by Molly Feltner.
Art of Conservation, Inc. educates Rwandans about conservation and the importance of maintaining a healthy environment for both people and animals while instilling them with an understanding and respect for themselves, their peers, and the natural world. AoC is led by Julie Ghrist and her team, Valerie Akuredusenge, Eric Mutabazi, Innocent Uwizeye, Olivier Habimana, and Fahad Ndangiza.
Showing photos of endangered animals from around the world to the students. Photo by Molly Feltner.
The visit gave us the opportunity to interact with the Art of Conservation and their students to see how the Houston Zoo could help with the development of their program.
We are looking forward to working with The Art of Conservation and their students. Check back for more information on this effort in the coming weeks ahead.
Posted by Peter in Africa,Endangered Species,Gorilla
I am off to Rwanda to visit the town of Musanze at the base of the Volcanoes National Park, home to half of the worlds remaining 700+ Mountain Gorillas. This trip unfortunately will not bring me to the gorillas, but I will be spending time with our friends at Art of Conservation.
Art of Conservation works in poor rural communities surrounding Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, teaching schoolchildren about the importance of maintaining a healthy environment for both people and animals and instilling them with an understanding and respect for themselves, their peers, and the natural world.
The Houston Zoo believes that the health of wildlife is directly linked to the health of the people with whom they share their habitat, as well as the health of the people living in the communities surrounding those habitats. Education and community health initiatives are equally important as wildlife research efforts. For a program to be successful, the three pieces cannot be separated from one another.
Long term education programs have to be put in place with the aim of changing the attitudes of local people to the value of wildlife. If we want to ensure the survival of wildlife and wild-places in the future we also have to address our conservation effort to the future generation – the children. At the same time, we have to help these communities find sustainable resources and economic solutions for those resources.
