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The objective of this part of PDC's extensive education programme is to teach local children conservation
concepts, an understanding of ecological relationships, the value of
biodiversity, an appreciation of painted dogs and the role they play in
ecosystems, and to inspire an emotional attachment to the beauty and complexity
of nature.
The facility is called Iganyana Bush Camp. “Iganyana” is the local Sindebele
language name for painted dogs. The bush camp was built into the middle of teak
woodlands near the border of Hwange National Park. Local labour was used,
thereby increasing the benefits of conservation to local communities through
employment and appropriate care was taken to minimise disturbance to the
surrounding habitat.
The programme, which is free of charge, for all grade six students from the 15
primary schools in our immediate area of operation, reaches over 600 children.
While at Iganyana Bush Camp, children learn about species, adaptations and
ecological relationships in the teak woodlands, through hands on activities in
the Environmental Education Exclosure, They search for painted dogs from the
raised walkway in the big enclosure.
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They meet and learn about the painted dogs and their plight
at the adjacent Painted Dog Rehabilitation Facility. They visit, usually for the
first time in their lives, Hwange National Park on a game drive, during which
the role each species of wildlife plays in its natural community is emphasized.
Having learned about such vital roles, children are led to conclude that
extinction is bad for the environment.
Painted Dog Conservation’s bush camp programme is an unparalleled educational
opportunity for local children that will have a significantly positive impact on
conservation endeavours in the area by encouraging a stakeholder attitude in
local communities over time and by providing direct benefit from conservation
activities to local people. Having seen the local wildlife, experienced the
excitement and beauty of the wild African savannah and gained an experiential
understanding of it complex ecology, bush camp graduates have more of an
emotional investment in caring for it. Whereas before, locals have been expected
to protect something that they had no direct experience with, no emotional
attachment to and received no direct benefit from, short of conducting illegal
activities, bush camp alumni will increasingly represent a new generation of
villagers over time.
To see more about what the children do at the bush camp press the "Bush Camp
experience link below on this page. You can help support the Children's Bush
camp Programme by either sponsoring a local child to attend the bush camp or
arranging to send your child's class to the bush camp as a "donor school".
Please click the two links immediately following for more information about
these two ways to support Painted Dog Conservation.
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