Post by Molly Feltner 
Art of Conservation (Art for Gorillas) (AoC), a Rwanda-based organization that runs an intensive conservation education program in primary schools surrounding Volcanoes National Park, kicked off its 2010 school year this month. This year the project has expanded to work with 200 students at Nyange and Rushubi Primary schools. The project's main objective is to teach Rwandans good health and conservation habits that will benefit both people and animals--especially the 300 or so endangered mountain gorillas living in the national park. Teaching child to appreciate wild animal species for their beauty, remarkable behavior, and rareness is also key.
Julie Ghrist, AoC's Director, led the first two weeks of classes with support from veteran staff members Valerie Akuredusenge and Innocent Uwizeye and new teacher Olivier Habimana. This first week served as a chance for the AoC team to present themselves and their program to the students. Students in all four classes (the staff teaches two classes of 50 students each at both Nyange and Rushubi Primary schools) arrived excited--many had heard about the program from their peers in 2009 classes and were eager to participate.
The children were thrilled but somewhat puzzled when the team arrived to class to with a giant gorilla. At first some students thought the gorilla was real, and shrank back, but quickly realized it was a stuffed toy when Julie moved its arm to shake hands with them. This encounter was meant to be the icebreaker for a conversation about conservation that will continue and deepen as the school year progresses.
AoC jumped into its core curriculum the second week of classes, beginning a series of lessons about health. Many mountain gorilla experts believe that if the local population living near gorilla habitat develops good health habits, they can help prevent the spread of disease to gorillas, which are at risk for many of the same diseases that affect humans. In upcoming classes, AoC will expand on the basics and teach lessons focused on topics such as personal hygiene, oral health, and nutrition.
You can follow AoC's progress and make donations through the Art for Gorillas blog on Wildlife Direct.
Donations made here are safe.
What Others Had to Say
Added by jessicamorris on June 25, 2010
I visited Rwanda once back in the day..definitely not a site that was pleasant to see. I feel horrible for people who live in the area and have had to do deal with the struggle. Good to see programs like this rising up. It really shows that some people actually care.
Added by jessicamorris on June 25, 2010
Forgot to add that I'm planning to visit again in the summer. So I'll definitely post back to let everyone know how it went.
Jessica - Los Gatos Dentist
Added by steve bolder on July 6, 2010
The children were thrilled but somewhat puzzled when the team arrived to class to with a giant gorilla.
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Added by Foreman on July 19, 2010
The gorilla in the picture over there looks real, it almost scared me (almost..). By the way I love to watch national geographic, one of the best channels in my opinion.g
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