FRIENDS OF RUAHA SOCIETY’S ENVIRONMENTAL FILM SHOWS 2008

Report to Nature for Kids (NFK)

Report by: Jackson Ngowi & Anette Kyvik Friends of Ruaha Society (FORS)

June 2008

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IntroductionFriends of Ruaha Society (FORS) is a small NGO working in the southern highlands of Tanzania. FORS was founded in 1984 to assist Ruaha National Park (RUNAPA) in its conservation efforts. As the national park's capacity to fulfill its own mission grew, FORS' role has increasingly focused on conservation efforts among the communities along the border of the national park. These communities are now part of the new Lunda Mkwambe Wildlife Management Area (WMA), giving local people the opportunity to benefit from their wildlife and also making them an increasingly important part of the conservation equation.

FORS’ biggest project is an Environmental Education Program, which we currently conduct in 24 primary schools in Idodi and Pawaga divisions. The program is based on the national curriculum with lesson plans designed for each standard in the schools. Each school participates in thorough teacher training sessions and follow-up feedback sessions by using participatory methodologies to implement lessons around the topics of Water, Weather, Wildlife and Soil/Fire/Forests. Schools participate in supplementary activities such as our Educational Safaris to Ruaha National Park, community environmental film shows, World Environment Day celebrations, our Environmental Story Board Event, and World Water Week Celebrations.

FORS’ Environmental Film ShowsEvery year FORS conducts educational film shows in all 24 schools that are part of our Environmental Education Program and, in order to reach a greater audience, in the villages where the schools are located. These film shows start at the same time that we celebrate World Water Week, which is from 16th March to 22nd March every year. The film shows last over a period of approximately six weeks.

The aim of these film shows is to increase students’ and villagers’ knowledge about natural resources, as well as to encourage them to conserve the environment surrounding them. A particular focus is on water, as these shows are conducted in relation to the World Water Week, but we also show films concerning conservation of wildlife and forests. It is also important to point out the amazing experience these film shows represent for these underprivileged communities who, without electricity or television, otherwise have few opportunities to experience the joy of cinema.

Activity Report 2008

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This year FORS organized 48 film shows in Idodi and Pawaga divisions, and more than 15,000 children and about 10,000 villagers attended the shows. We conducted two film shows in every village: in the morning films were shown in a participating FORS school, and the evening we conducted film shows at the village centre so that the whole village could come and watch.

We decided to show the three films from Nature for Kids (NKF) at the school film shows and not the evening film shows since the films are designed specifically for children. We received the NFK films after already having started our film shows, so not all schools had the opportunity to watch these films this year. But we showed at least one of the NFK movies at 11 schools, which means that about 2,000 children watched the films. After watching the films, FORS staff and teachers together led a discussion to get students’ input on the films as well as to assess the students’ knowledge on the topics discussed in the films.

Standard II and III students from Matalawe Primary School enjoying the film show

Students from all standards liked the NFK films, and particularly the smaller kids from Standard I, II, III and IV. The fact that the main characters and heroes in these movies are kids at their own age makes it very easy for the children to relate the films to their life. And, equally important, the children in the films come from underprivileged, rural areas in Tanzania - just like the schoolchildren in FORS’ villages.

“The students are very happy this year because they can watch kids like themselves act in the movies, so now they want to be part of a movie themselves!” Teacher from Makifu Primary School

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The students particularly liked Mkobo and the Great Lion because the film’s hero, Mkobo, tries to get a Masai girl to go school, and because they liked seeing children just like themselves going on a game drive – like tourists! After watching the film, they all wanted to visit Ruaha National Park so they could see a lion with their own eyes.

“I like to watch lions, although they are dangerous animals” Standard I Student from Mafuluto Primary School

“Look how these young kids are very interested inlearning how to identify animals by looking at their tracks – they are very bright!” Standard III Student from Tungamalenga Primary School

Standard II students from Mafuluto Primary

School glued to the screen

Sophia and the Terrific Forest was also of great interest to the students because it shows how Sophia creates a tree nursery, something that most FORS school have as well, which this standard II student from Mkombilenga Primary School points out: “She is just like me! I have two tree seedlings I water every day, the trees even have a label with my name on them!” The children were fascinated by the fact that it was Sophia, a little girl, who made sure that people who cut down trees illegally were caught. A Standard III student from Isele Primary School recognized how trees can be used as medicine: “Oh, I remember my father also went to the forest to find medicine from the trees! I think it was for his skin.”

Standard I Student

from Matalawe Primary

School

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FORS staff and teacher discussing the films with Standard I-III students from Mafuluto Primary School

Standard V students from Makifu Primary

School taking notes while watching films

Issa and the Returning Grassland is a good educational film for the communities in Pawaga in particular, where most families have a large number of animals and overgrazing is an increasing problem. After watching this film, a teacher from Isele Primary School encouraged the students to tell their families about it so they could be more aware of the problem of overgrazing. The students were fascinated by Issa who started growing grass without his parents’ permission, and that he even sold a goat to get money for seeds.

“In our home we have a big number of animals and today I’m going to tell my father to sell some animals and buy seeds so we can plant grass like Issa”

Standard II Student from Itunundu Primary School

Final RemarksThis was the first time we showed the NFK films, and the films were a valuable addition to the films we already have. The films are unique in the sense that they tell a story, African kids are the main characters, and they are easier to relate to for children than general nature films. As indicated by the quotes, the kids were very enthusiastic about the films, and the films inspired them to wanting to conserve their own environment.

We will definitely continue to use them at our annual film shows, and will gladly keep you updated on the kids’ reactions to the films. Thank you again for your collaboration, and we are excited to receive the new films that you are currently making!

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Standard I - IV students from Kitisi Primary School

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